Should we all stop using internet explorer because it is not safe?

I haven't used Internet Explorer in years.

I've been using Firefox since the first beta.

And all browsers have their flaws, it's just that IE has a huge base and it's a lot easier to find a target.

Short answer, no.

If you do regular Microsoft updates and avoid sites that contain questionable material you should be fine.

Long answer, like 'I Eat Legs' stated, Microsoft has a large user base, so their software is targeted more often for vulnerabilities. Because Firefox has gained popularity, it's now targeted more than when it was first released.

If you browse to a lot of unknown websites, don't read IE security warnings and install plugins without knowing what you're doing, it probably is a good idea to use little known or newer browsers as they would be safer for your surfing habits.

I use and recommend a simultaneous dual browser arrangement:

You can have as many browsers open as you want at the same time , without major problems.

Use FF for general & everyday surfing needs, especially to sites you don't know anything about. Depending on how many plug-in's and add-on's you "hang" onto FF, it's faster than IE, & inherently safer.

Note: Current threats include 'Antivirus 2009' or variants.

Because architecture of the Internet (notably 'Flash' scripting), vulnerabilities are readily exploited in Internet Explorer, & it is now urgent that you use Firefox with current 'NoScript' add-on, which will prevent "opacity-based attacks".

NoScript: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox...

Try viewing a site with FF first, and if it does not allow the interaction you require, switch & use IE (but only when it's absolutely necessary), or to use 'Active X' or 'Flash' scripting: but use these at your own peril.

And for even greater security, without limiting functionality of either browser, get

'Sandboxie'

runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer.

Use it for:

Secure Web Browsing: Running your Web browser under the protection of Sandboxie means that all malicious software downloaded by the browser is trapped in the sandbox and can be discarded trivially.

Enhanced Privacy: Browsing history, cookies, and cached temporary files collected while Web browsing stay in the sandbox and don't leak into Windows.

Secure E-mail: Viruses and other malicious software that might be hiding in your email can't break out of the sandbox and can't infect your real system.

Windows Stays Lean: Prevent wear-and-tear in Windows by installing software into an isolated sandbox.

Not overly difficult to use.

Recommended by Steve Gibson (Security Now & GRC).

http://www.sandboxie.com/

This dual set-up will reduce web based threats to your system.

Yes, switch now if you haven't already. Switch to any other browser at this time, only IE is affected by this flaw.

The flaw is already in wide use as a tool to steal online game passwords, with some 10,000 websites infected with the code needed to take advantage of the hole in IE. The fear is that the attack will soon threaten beyond the arena of gaming passwords and into more criminal arenas, as the malicious code can be placed on any website and can be adapted to steal any password on your browser..

There have always been other browsers. Netscape used to sell a pretty good browser when MS didn't even have one. But MS completely destroyed the Netscape company by shipping IE for free.

NB Safari on Windows is still riddled with bugs. All software will have bugs..

Can't agree more with I Eat Legs's answer i am big of Firefox it's very secure and has many extensions like Adblock Plus.

Funny that you posted this. I just read this:

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/111811

Anyways, screw IE. I'm a Firefox and Chrome user. I stopped using IE years ago, it's a waste.

Just don't go to sites where there is spyware and adware and you are all set.

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No!