ScanIT, an Internet security consultancy, reports Microsoft’s Internet Explorer was unsafe 98 percent of the time, during 2004. The data were collected from 195,000 internet users who used ScanIT’s online security checker. The reported 98 percent unsafe rating is based on security holes being found in fully-patched installations of Internet Explorer on every day of the year 2004, except the week between October 12 and 19.

A fully-patched installation of Internet Explorer doesn’t mean that the user is safe from malware. For over half of 2004, 54 percent of the time (200 days), a worm or virus was in the wild that could take advantage of additional vulnerabilities for which a patch was not available from Microsoft.

So, what is a computer user to do? One free alternative is to use Mozilla FireFox, rather than Microsoft Internet Explorer. During the same period, ScanIT found that FireFox was vulnerable only 15 percent of the time (56 days). Another alternative is the commercial webbrowser, Opera, which was vulnerable for 17 percent of 2004 (65 days). Either of these alternatives is an excellent first step toward decreasing the risk of being attacked by internet-delivered malware.

Dave’s Comments
ScanIT’s website will report common security problems that may put you at risk; it’s worth a visit.

Another site, Steve Gibson’s Shields Up!! will help you detect a general set of security risks to you system.

Use both sites, ScanIT and Shields Up!! to help you detect your risks.

Call for Comments
Please leave your comments below.

References
ScanIT Browser Security Test
Shields Up!!

The Mozilla Foundation has released Firefox 1.0, the long-awaited competitor of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser. Developing a loyal following during beta testing, Firefox was released at 1 A.M. PST today and users from around the world quickly brought the mozilla.org servers to a grinding halt.

The web browser is everything that I expected it would be: sleek, simple, streamlined, fast, and above all, not susceptible to many of the web-borne security maladies that afflict Microsoft’s browser. Firefox includes support for hundreds of extensions that add functionality to the core product.

According to the Mozilla Foundation’s website, Firefox benefits include:

1. Pop-up Blocking
Firefox includes an integrated pop-up blocker that lets users-not websites-decide when they will view pop-ups. Mozilla continues to set the standard in assisting users avoid annoying pop-ups.

2. Online Fraud Protection
Firefox helps users protect themselves against online fraud such as “phishing” (attempts to trick users into giving away their passwords) and “spoofing” (fraudulent sites masquerading as popular, trusted sites) by clearly displaying the true identity of secure sites.

3. Faster, Easier, More Accessible Search
Firefox tightly integrates support for leading search services into the toolbar, including Google search, Yahoo!, eBay, Amazon, Dictionary.com, Creative Commons, and more. The new Firefox Start Page also provides access to Firefox information, resources and application tips, coupled with an integrated Google search box.

4. More Efficient Browsing
Firefox’s innovative Tabbed Browsing allows many web pages to load within the same window, improving the speed and utility of web browsing. Firefox also introduces Live Bookmarks, which allows users to easily glance through the latest news and blog headlines.

5. Easy Migration
With Firefox it’s easy to switch from Internet Explorer and other browsers. Firefox imports your existing bookmarks, passwords, cookies, and other data.

Dave’s Opinion
I was finally able to get a copy of the program this afternoon by logging directly into the foundation’s FTP server, and not coming in through the website. I’ve been testing and recommending the program to students and clients for months, and so far, no one has told me that I’ve steered them wrong. This is definitely a web browser worth trying.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments below.

References
Mozilla Foundation