Browser issues

[ann]

As most of you know, I've long been suggesting that using Internet Explorer is not a good idea if you are a Windows user. There are serious security issues with it, and other browsers are faster, have more features, and avoid those security issues.

For details on why not to use Internet Explorer, and links to sites that explain it all, read this message.

[tmayhew11]

Thanks for that Ann, ever since you recommended Firefox I've been using it but unfortunately not all the sites I look at are accessible with F/fox so have been using IE as a back up...

Happy..................................Browsing (safely)!

[ann]

Originally Posted by tmayhew11

Thanks for that Ann, ever since you recommended Firefox I've been using it but unfortunately not all the sites I look at are accessible with F/fox so have been using IE as a back up...

Yes, some sites have taken the short-sighted view that as most people use Internet Explorer, they can cut costs by coding for that browser alone. My mother's bank will let me view her account information in any browser, but if I want to pay bills or transfer money, I have to use IE on my Windows laptop to do so. i complain regularly.

And even though I only use IE Windows for my mother's banking and testing web pages, I still find occasional malware with SpyBot. In my view, using Internet Explorer as your default browser is an open invitation to infection with nasties.

Opera, another well-thought-of browser has recently become free (it used to have some discreetly-placed ads in the free version). It's well worth trying for anyone who finds Firefox not to their liking.

[Adele]

I have IE & never thought about switching to anything else. Have never had any problems with IE....... Our whole company uses IE - Our IT guys have set it up on our computers.

Actually I never knew that there was anything else.....

[ann]

Originally Posted by Adele

I have IE & never thought about switching to anything else. Have never had any problems with IE....... Our whole company uses IE - Our IT guys have set it up on our computers.

Actually I never knew that there was anything else.....

That's what a lot of people think, but if you read that message I linked to, and follow the links in it, you will see that it is a dangerous application to have on your machine. Firefox and Opera are much, much better and more secure.

In fact, Microsoft has issued a security alert on Internet Explorer today, and is saying that the severity rating is critical.

It's a bad program.

[Adele]

Thanks Ann, I will send this link to our IT guys at work and see what they say.

[ann]

Originally Posted by Adele

Thanks Ann, I will send this link to our IT guys at work and see what they say.

They've probably got tools that clean up your machines during the night, but for people at home, IE is a dangerous application to have around unless you keep your virus definitions absolutely 100% up-to-date and run programs like SpyBot regularly.

[Adele]

Originally Posted by ann

They've probably got tools that clean up your machines during the night, but for people at home, IE is a dangerous application to have around unless you keep your virus definitions absolutely 100% up-to-date and run programs like SpyBot regularly.

Yea we do have an anti-virus software (or whatever it is) that updates our computer everytime we log-on. But I have still sent it to them, just for their info....

[Stardust]

Thanks Ann, had the tech out yesterday for another problem and got him to put Firefox on all four computers. He said he has for a while now been putting it on for new clients rather than IE. I'm having a little trouble on my banking site (not W'pac) on a networked computer but not on the main one, possible something to do with the router? Will have to check with tech, who coincidentally just happens to be a cousin-in-law to a YR family. Small world isn't it

[ann]

Originally Posted by Stardust

Thanks Ann, had the tech out yesterday for another problem and got him to put Firefox on all four computers. He said he has for a while now been putting it on for new clients rather than IE. I'm having a little trouble on my banking site (not W'pac) on a networked computer but not on the main one, possible something to do with the router? Will have to check with tech, who coincidentally just happens to be a cousin-in-law to a YR family. Small world isn't it

It is indeed a small world.

If your banking site works with a standalone computer but not a networked one, then it isn't the browser, unles the browser settings are different. You can check the settings of your router yourself if you have the documentation that came with it. It's a matter of logging into the router with your browser. The IP address is usually 192.168.0.1, and you just type it into the addess bar of the browser. Some only work with IE, of course!

[Susan]

Hi Ann,

Thanks for the tip. Where do I go to get the Firefox browser? Please feel free to PM me if you would prefer.

Chhers,

[ann]

Originally Posted by Susan

Where do I go to get the Firefox browser?

You can download it from this site, Susan. It will detect your operating system and offer you the correct version.

[Susan]

Thanks a bunch Ann :-)