Choosing a browser?

sindersoot

So, is it okay to have Internet Explorer browser downloaded and sitting not being used or should it be removed from pc?

Are there security measures within each browser that can be set for protection or what is the best way to protect from bugs, etc when browsing?

spud17

So, is it okay to have Internet Explorer browser downloaded and sitting not being used or should it be removed from pc?

Yes fine, DO NOT remove Internet Explorer, Windows update uses it.
Also there is the, now very very rare, case when Firefox does not work properly with some websites.

DCFC79

sindersoot wrote: »

So, is it okay to have Internet Explorer browser downloaded and sitting not being used or should it be removed from pc?

Are there security measures within each browser that can be set for protection or what is the best way to protect from bugs, etc when browsing?

as spud says leave ie as it is, in any case i dont think(but i could be wrong) you can remove ie entirely anyway

DVardysShadow

spud17 wrote: »

Yes fine, DO NOT remove Internet Explorer, Windows update uses it.
Also there is the, now very very rare, case when Firefox does not work properly with some websites.

More usually, it is the case that the website does not work properly with the browser.

UnhappyBunny_2

Sometimes Firefox does go mental and doesn't even open up, and you have to do all that task manager malarky, so Internet Explorer is there for a back up browser.

Forgot to say this, Google Chrome has a Incognito mode browser that doesn't leave any temporary cache, cookies, or history. (It's basically a !!!!!! mode).

RobertoMoir

I like Firefox because I use both a Mac and a PC and this way whichever one I'm sat in front of I'm used to the browser. IE 8 I would discard - not so much for security concerns but simply because I don't think the browsing experience is very good there - it's quite slow and can struggle on some complex websites.

But really I think trying a few of them and picking one that feels like it works "with" you is a good idea.

BandJB

sindersoot wrote: »

Are there security measures within each browser that can be set for protection or what is the best way to protect from bugs, etc when browsing?

No. It's not the job of a browser to defend against virus attacks and the like. Any frills and tweaks offered as such are, at best, just a form of tokenism.

Get a GOOD anti-virus program and keep it up to date (if it doesn't do it itself - which it should!). The freebie AV programs are mediocre at best. Go to the 'av-comparatives.org' web site; read the reports and make our own mind up based on the facts - not just other people's opinions (including mine).

Don't think you can get away with a lesser AV product because you 'never visit dodgy web sites'. Sooner or later you'll find one by accident. Two examples from the last couple of weeks:
1. Son types in a URL for a cycle accessory site and accidentally keys '.com' instead of '.co.uk'. Ends up on a virus-ridden Indian web site.
2. Wife Googles for a fireplace and clicks on a likely link to a UK company which has been similarly infected.
Both of these were perfectly innocent companies who simply didn't know enough to protect their sites properly. It's anarchy out there, so protect yourself and don't expect others to do it for you for free: they simply don't have the resources. Go to viruslist.com (or similar sites) and see how active the bad guys are, then make sure you're not going to end up as one of the statistics.

(Sits back and waits for the reaction from the Freebies Fan Club...)

sindersoot

We are using microsoft security essentials, so should we get another antivirus on top of MSE?

[Deleted User]

sindersoot wrote: »

We are using microsoft security essentials, so should we get another antivirus on top of MSE?

No. One AV only. MSE is fine. If you want a change try Avira.

dave2

If you're paranoid use Fedora LiveUSB Creator to make Ubuntu bootable from a USB stick (use a fast one) and browse with that (Firefox installed by default on Ubuntu). I used one temporarily and was very surprised how it all just worked... On a modern PC, older ones don't let you boot from USB.