Firefox: Recommended Browser
Thursday, April 20th, 2006Earlier this month, I stopped using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and switched to Mozilla’s Firefox (browser) and Thunderbird (email program). I really like them. They both offer a great deal more security than Microsoft’s alternatives. They’re both open source programs, which means developers around the world add improvements, detect and patch vulnerabilities. Nice.
I had been thinking about switching browsers for some time. Firefox was the frontrunner. A lot of tech sites and forums talked about how much more secure Firefox is over IE. I was sitting on my hands about switching browsers, then something happened. I ran another Windows update in January, 2006, which fubarred my computer completely. Their new security patches were so thorough I couldn’t establish any Internet link. I guess that’s Microsoft’s best solution to Internet security - cut off all access. No thanks. I get claustrophobic when I’m cut off from the net.
Okay well, in Microsoft’s defense, I’ll say no one can fully guarantee everything on my computer (the huge diversity of programs and .dlls they load) will all work perfectly together. But, the update and subsequent problem really frustrated me. It was so screwed up that not even loading up a 2-month old backup drive image could fix the problem. (I still haven’t figured that one out since re-imaging would have wiped everything clean.) Ultimately, I decided to load Windows and all my programs fresh. On the plus side, that reconditioned my computer which is always a good thing. I was able to leave out programs I had tried but didn’t like or was no longer using, which takes those unique .dlls and setups out of the mix.
I know I was probably scapegoating Microsoft’s browser, but it was time to try something else. Internet security was my main reason for deciding to go with another browser. Firefox has consistently gotten good write-ups. Google it and you’ll see what I mean. I like the tabbed views Firefox offers (rather than having it open a bunch of separate windows that fill my task bar). Plug-ins and add-ons are easier to load and manage, and Firefox is skinnable (is that a word?). When you’re on the computer 24/7 it’s nice to be able to change the look of a program and freshen up your desktop from time to time. I also like that Firefox has “Live Bookmarks” which allow you to more easily incorporate RSS feeds and be notified of updates to your favorite sites.
I know there’s little chance of finding a browser that’s completely secure. Firefox does have security patches that need to be loaded from time to time. I can’t imagine there’s any browser out there that won’t require updates from time to time and frankly I’d worry about using a program that doesn’t get updates.
At any rate, there are more options available than Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. W3Schools (a terrific web developer site) has quick summaries and links about available browsers. I’m on a PC using Windows XP and don’t think I’ll ever experience “Safari” unless I buy a Mac (which I’m considering). Right now we have nothing but PC’s in the house (3 workstations, a laptop and a tablet). We should probably give Apple a turn. Regardless, for PC’s and Windows users, there are plenty of options in how you browse the net. I like having a choice. You get a better product that way, I think.
