Why is Internet Explorer less secure?

[simsfreq]

I know that it is safer to use an alternative browser, but what makes Internet Explorer less secure than Firefox or Netscape? Apart from the fact that Microsoft is crap, I mean.

[vehelpfulguy]

Although I know a lot of people are somewhat anti-Microsoft I hardly think you can call them crap.

Considering about 95% of the worlds PCs run Windows.

Anyway to answer your question I think it is mainly ActiveX. This is a Microsoft only technology which I think other browser do not support.

ActiveX allows you to run programs inside your browser (somewhat like Java) but these programs can also be bad as well as good.

This is why after you put Windows XP service pack 2 on you get asked if it is OK before any ActiveX program is run.

[Buenchico]

My opinion of Microsoft mirrors that (or probably goes beyond that) of Simsfreq!

Vehelpfulguy is correct in saying that concerns about ActiveX are often the reason why people move away from Internet Explorer. Virus-writers generally aren't interested in attacking software which is only on a minority of PCs. The more common the software, the more attractive a target it is to those who wish to launch attacks upon it. Over the years, many security loopholes have been found in IE. Microsoft keep trying to close the loopholes but ActiveX is one which they can't really close without disabling some of the functions of their browser.

If you switch to an alternative browser, you'll notice very little change in your browsing experience except for a few minor points. Some of which are positive while others are negative. On the 'plus' side, you'll find that pages load faster in, say, Firefox than they do in Internet Explorer. There aren't many 'minus' points except, irritatingly, here on AB: If you use Firefox, or any other browser which doesn't support ActiveX, you'll lose the ability to format text. (i.e. you won't be able to use bold or italic texts in your posts).

Chris

[Mattk]

and dont forget,the nerds who write these virus's are almost alway going to aim at microsoft as they get more effect with the worlds most popular os

[mastadon]

a monopoly hardly constitutes most popular, simply most used?

[wendyl]

Found this discussion very interesting and informative as another non lover of IE which I only use when I have to to look up all accounts on EGG. Had almost always used Netscape but recently favoured Firefox after recommendation on AB

[WoWo]

As others have suggested it's a numbers game, there have been plenty of security updates in FireFox since it came out.

To exploite flaws in a browser isn't easy, so why spend the effort writing something for only 20% of the market when you can target 80% by going for IE.

The thing is when there is a flaw in IE Microsoft announce it publicly and it's all over the press, FireFox flaws are a little more low key.

Don't get me wrong I don't use IE because it's rubbish, I prefer FireFox. But I tend to deal with security issues before they get to the browser, i.e. hardware and software firewalls.