FireFox Myths

[CivFan91]

While getting help on another site for a computer problem, I was given the link to a site that "debunks FireFox myths"

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/FirefoxMyths.html

I found the article very informative - until I found out a few contradictory things that made the author, Andrew K, look like a complete loon.

Sheesh, this guy is insane! I mean, he makes up arguments that he can easily blast. I'm not saying FireFox is the solution for everything - the fact that I have 5 browsers speaks for that - but come on here!

This first guy noticed that Andrew used him as a source incorrectly. He was most displeased. Read it to the end; you get to read his Emails concerning this issue.

http://nanobox.chipx86.com/blog/2005/12/re-firefox-myths.php

A forum debate on the topic:

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic42441.html

What are your thoughts about the various browsers and how they compare to FireFox? I'd like some opinions from both sides, here.

I am wondering what to use the most: IE, Opera, Mozilla, MSN, or FireFox, or even something else entirely. This guy may be nuts, but it makes me wonder what is true and what's not. www.mozilla.org has made some incorrect claims as well, like being the "first in tabbed browsing". They have since recanted that, I believe, because in fact it was Opera... anyway, post your opinions on browsers, please.

P.S.: You can find a lot more about this issue by Google-ing "FireFox Myths".

EDIT: Another good read

 

[LLXerxes]

Firefox is OK. It freezes way too much, I'm still getting spyware, it often refuses connections with sites that would work on other browsers. Yet, it still owns Internet Explorer.

I'm thinking about changing to Opeara...

 

[CivFan91]

Yeah, I like Firefox's Smiley Extension, and the Adblock. But Opera and Mozilla are way faster, and I have yet to see them crash.

 

[LLXerxes]

Yeah, I like Firefox's Smiley Extension, and the Adblock. But Opera and Mozilla are way faster, and I have yet to see them crash.

Funny, ever since I downloaded Firefox, I've never been able to operate Mozilla. Mozilla blocks mucho more popups than Firefox. Also, the most basic of scripts sometimes Firefox can't operate.

 

[CivFan91]

Really? I'm able to open 5 at once.

 

[MarineCorps]

I use Firefox and have never had it freeze up on me. Also rarely if ever see a pop up.

 

[Comraddict]

firefox freezes sometimes when webpage uses Java or PDF. What a bunch of lies... plus he modified copyrighted "Get Firefox" banner.

 

[Strider]

I switched from Opera to firefox, and I haven't seen a pop-up since.

 

[Speedo]

The guys obviously dislikes Firefox, but much of what he's saying is true.
Firefox has many vulnerabilities, in fact I think last year more critical vulnerabilities were found in Firefox than IE6.
Out of the box, Firefox is just about as unsecure as IE6. Of course, Firefox can be made more secure by adding extensions - IE can't.

Hands down Opera is the fastest and most secure browser, and I've been using it for 4 years. FF is just to clunky for my tastes.

 

[Red Door]

Firefox has been the best thing for my computer.
I got viruses all the time before. Since I downloaded Firefox, I've gotten zero viruses.

 

[Speedo]

Firefox has been the best thing for my computer.
I got viruses all the time before. Since I downloaded Firefox, I've gotten zero viruses.

I hate to break it to you, but the main factor in that equation is the person you see in the mirror every morning...

 

[CivFan91]

Actually, a lot of viruses can come from ActiveX, which FF blocks. so he may be right.

 

[Strider]

Actually, a lot of viruses can come from ActiveX, which FF blocks. so he may be right.

Alot of Spyware/virus's come from ActiveX and Javascript. Both of which can be blocked with extensions from firefox (and the best thing is, that if you want to.. you can active them for certain websites.. and it's just as easy as bookmarking a page).

 

[Padma]

I hate to break it to you, but the main factor in that equation is the person you see in the mirror every morning...

It needs repeating.

It doesn't matter what bnrowser you use, or even what OS you use. If you don't make sure your system is properly secured, you will have problems.

 

[Speedo]

Actually, a lot of viruses can come from ActiveX, which FF blocks. so he may be right.

Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.

I have a sample group of about 1500 people, all of whom are using IE6. They're all users, so they can't install any other browser.
I have very effective antivirus/antispyware software, which is constantly in touch with its controlling server and does daily scans. The server allows me to see stats on every client PC, which I check daily.

It's the same people, over and over, who get infected with spyware and viruses. Even though everyone uses the internet -via IE6- on a daily basis for their job (and I know that 99.9% spend a good deal of time on it not for their job) only this relatively small percentage manages to get infected.

 

[Comraddict]

Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.

I have a sample group of about 1500 people, all of whom are using IE6. They're all users, so they can't install any other browser.
I have very effective antivirus/antispyware software, which is constantly in touch with its controlling server and does daily scans. The server allows me to see stats on every client PC, which I check daily.

It's the same people, over and over, who get infected with spyware and viruses. Even though everyone uses the internet -via IE6- on a daily basis for their job (and I know that 99.9% spend a good deal of time on it not for their job) only this relatively small percentage manages to get infected.

your sample group is very good argument.
However- most spyware is:
a) Active X control
b) made from IE vulnerabilities
Thus Firefox has to do better job as it is not vulnerable to either of that two.
My experience with fixin' people's PCs is: remove spyware, remove I.E. from desktop and start menu, install Firefox, and put "Internet Explorer" shortcut for Firefox.
It won't hurt them, it might help! Also if only decent sites are viewed, then there's no trouble even with IE.
Also new IE 7.0 beta 2 is out...seems to be better.

 

[CivFan91]

NO. NO NO NO!!! I will not use IE 7 beta 2!!!

To explain, I tried it once, and it made Visual Studio not function, and MSN not work at all. So I couldn't get my Email or do my programming. Not fun at all. I had it removed, and it screwed up IE 6. So not until they're done fixing the flaws will I download it again. It's not good stuff.

 

[Comraddict]

NO. NO NO NO!!! I will not use IE 7 beta 2!!!

To explain, I tried it once, and it made Visual Studio not function, and MSN not work at all. So I couldn't get my Email or do my programming. Not fun at all. I had it removed, and it screwed up IE 6. So not until they're done fixing the flaws will I download it again. It's not good stuff.

Thanks for letting me know that my Visual Studio 2003 is screwed. You are right- MSDN stuff lost all formating and else.
2005 was not damaged though.

 

[Speedo]

Does IE7 require .NET 2.0 or something? If it does, you can install .NET 1.1 side by side with it to use older programs incompatible with 2.0. I've got Visual C++ (requires 2.0) running happily alongside several older programs that require 1.1

 

[Comraddict]

IE7 doesn't require .NET framework, it is not written in it. 2.0 and 1.1 can co-exist (and should). Mess.