Interesting Test on popular browsers
Wednesday, November 10, 2004 by Essencay | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Don't know if folks have seen this test or not http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/378632 A different take on browsers, this one not focusing on security exploits but quality of code.
tjesterb
Reply #2 Wednesday, November 10, 2004 9:25 PM
Reply #2 Wednesday, November 10, 2004 9:25 PM
From the article: "This is of course not to say MSIE is more secure it does have a number
of problems, mostly related to its security architecture and various
features absent in other browsers."
Doesn't that kind of outweigh most other issues?
It's no secret that IE is more flexible in displaying non-standards-compliant HTML. Mozilla/Firefox/Opera/etc... purists insist that this is a weakness in IE, and that alternate browsers are more standards compliant. IE fans insist that this flexibility makes IE superior. This is hashed out repeatedly on /. in almost painful detail. WHich side folks take seems to be determined by which browser they've already decided they prefer.
I also noticed that the article notes alternate browsers crashing due to buffer over-run. If I'm not mistaken buffer over-run is one of the most common ways virus writers compromise IE. I would rather have my browser crash than have a system compromising weakness any day. If IE weren't tied into the OS so inextricably, it would certainly have more going for it, but as it is now, if a virus compromises IE, it has an open door into your system. All the more reason, IMHO, to go with a stand-alone browser. I would also be interested to see this test again in a few months, as FF is now at 1.0 and Opera has a new version about to be released. I also hear that MS is putting more work into IE now tha SP2 is out.
of problems, mostly related to its security architecture and various
features absent in other browsers."
Doesn't that kind of outweigh most other issues?
It's no secret that IE is more flexible in displaying non-standards-compliant HTML. Mozilla/Firefox/Opera/etc... purists insist that this is a weakness in IE, and that alternate browsers are more standards compliant. IE fans insist that this flexibility makes IE superior. This is hashed out repeatedly on /. in almost painful detail. WHich side folks take seems to be determined by which browser they've already decided they prefer.
I also noticed that the article notes alternate browsers crashing due to buffer over-run. If I'm not mistaken buffer over-run is one of the most common ways virus writers compromise IE. I would rather have my browser crash than have a system compromising weakness any day. If IE weren't tied into the OS so inextricably, it would certainly have more going for it, but as it is now, if a virus compromises IE, it has an open door into your system. All the more reason, IMHO, to go with a stand-alone browser. I would also be interested to see this test again in a few months, as FF is now at 1.0 and Opera has a new version about to be released. I also hear that MS is putting more work into IE now tha SP2 is out.
Essencay
Reply #3 Thursday, November 11, 2004 1:41 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, November 11, 2004 1:41 PM
Okay so I think I'll give one of these other browsers a shot. If I'm not mistaken mozilla, firefox and netscape all run on the same engine? So I can just as much try out any one of them, just as well as another?
Essencay
Reply #4 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:14 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:14 PM
Okay I installed Firefox 1.0...everything looks good so far. Have a configuration question for folks that have been using it for a while and are familiar with IE6...
In IE6 I can configure cookies so that first party cookies (ones that are generated by the site I am visiting) are always accepted and third party cookies are always prompt me before accepting, at which point I can accept/block this one time or accept/block always. I couldn't see how to configure this in Firefox under their cookie settings. I seem to be able to allow an originating site to only set cookies, and for third party it is all or nothing? Please bear with me....I've been using IE forever.
In IE6 I can configure cookies so that first party cookies (ones that are generated by the site I am visiting) are always accepted and third party cookies are always prompt me before accepting, at which point I can accept/block this one time or accept/block always. I couldn't see how to configure this in Firefox under their cookie settings. I seem to be able to allow an originating site to only set cookies, and for third party it is all or nothing? Please bear with me....I've been using IE forever.
Essencay
Reply #5 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:18 PM
Reply #5 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:18 PM
Oops two more questions....I have earthlink toolbar installed and it doesn't show up in the Firefox browser. Also how do you get rid of the google search thing in next to the Navigation toolbar?
Essencay
Reply #6 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:23 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:23 PM
And another 
Personalize favorites in IE6....anyway to do the same with Firefox?
Personalize favorites in IE6....anyway to do the same with Firefox?
Essencay
Reply #7 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:41 PM
Okay figured that one out
Reply #7 Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:41 PM
| Also how do you get rid of the google search thing in next to the Navigation toolbar? |
Okay figured that one out
tjesterb
Reply #8 Thursday, November 11, 2004 8:58 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, November 11, 2004 8:58 PM
http://cookieculler.mozdev.org/ Link to CookieCuller, an extension that replaces the default cookie handler. I don't personally use it, but I think a lot of others do. I keep my cookie handler set to accept cookies from the originating site only, and to clear on exiting FF. I haven't had any trouble with these settings.
"And another Personalize favorites in IE6....anyway to do the same with Firefox? "
When you installed Firefox it should have asked of you wanted to import your IE favorites.
I never can get that quote thing to work....maybe that's something that doesn't work in FF?
[Message Edited]
"And another Personalize favorites in IE6....anyway to do the same with Firefox? "
When you installed Firefox it should have asked of you wanted to import your IE favorites.
I never can get that quote thing to work....maybe that's something that doesn't work in FF?
[Message Edited]
Essencay
Reply #9 Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:16 PM
Reply #9 Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:16 PM
Thanks tjesterb....favorites were imported no problem
What I meant about personalized favorites is that IE6 autohides favorites you haven't used recently and if you pause on the favorites menu for a couple of secs all your favorites show up....kinda helps keep it less busy when you've got a boatload of shortcuts (9 years worth
) I use a ZDNet tool called FavOrg to cull out dead links.
What I meant about personalized favorites is that IE6 autohides favorites you haven't used recently and if you pause on the favorites menu for a couple of secs all your favorites show up....kinda helps keep it less busy when you've got a boatload of shortcuts (9 years worth
) I use a ZDNet tool called FavOrg to cull out dead links.
joetheblow
Reply #10 Friday, November 12, 2004 3:19 AM
Reply #10 Friday, November 12, 2004 3:19 AM
My fav list used to be long, but I re-organizd it and put it on Joe User and Save This.
Now if I need a link I can access it anywhere I want. great for school, work, projects, or research.
Now if I need a link I can access it anywhere I want. great for school, work, projects, or research.
Essencay
Reply #11 Saturday, November 13, 2004 8:58 PM
That's a neat idea ....I only connect to the internet at home...and though I think the tabbed windows is very cool...I can't give up the way IE handles favorites....on top of that, Earthlink Toolbar, which I can't seem to get to show up on Firefox, scrubs my favorites, when I add a link. Still playing with Firefox though...it is a pretty speedy browser, but it still has that old "Netscape" feel to it.
[Message Edited]
Reply #11 Saturday, November 13, 2004 8:58 PM
| put it on Joe User |
That's a neat idea
....I only connect to the internet at home...and though I think the tabbed windows is very cool...I can't give up the way IE handles favorites....on top of that, Earthlink Toolbar, which I can't seem to get to show up on Firefox, scrubs my favorites, when I add a link. Still playing with Firefox though...it is a pretty speedy browser, but it still has that old "Netscape" feel to it.
[Message Edited]
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Wednesday, November 10, 2004 7:18 PM