BW Online | Internet Explorer Is Just Too Risky

"Until Microsoft proves it can fix IE's security bugs, you're better off using one of a few good alternatives as much as possible" (Wildstrom).

Stephen H. Wildstrom, writing for Business Week Online, has decided that using Internet Explorer as one's default browser is just too risky:

In late June, network security experts saw one of their worst fears realized. Attackers exploited a pair of known but unpatched flaws in Microsoft's Web server software and Internet Explorer browser to compromise seemingly safe Web sites. People who browsed there on Windows computers got infected with malicious code without downloading anything . . .. I've been growing increasingly concerned about IE's endless security problems, and this episode has convinced me that the program is simply too dangerous for routine use.

According to Wildstrom, "Later this summer, Microsoft will release Windows XP Service Pack 2, a major overhaul of Windows that focuses almost entirely on improving security. One component of SP2, as it's known, is a reworked browser that may make a big difference -- but it'll be many months before we know for sure. "

In the meantime, Wildstrom recommends what I've suggested before, too: use another browser. Wildstrom suggests Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera. He's more cautious about recommending Netscape 7.1 because it is less well-maintained than Mozilla (with which it shares code).

I've used Mozilla, Netscape, and Opera with success. In many ways, I like Opera the best BUT it has a large drawback for me and my students: WebCT doesn't work with Opera. WebCT *will* work with Netscape and Mozilla (although I've hit a bug with Mozilla when trying to download files to students).

For concerned students, I suggest you use Mozilla or Opera for your regular Internet work, but then switch to Netscape or IE for your WebCT work.