Am I taking a risk not upgrading from Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 to IE8?

Hi

I have 2 PCs with XP i upgraded one to IE8 and its occasionally slow and a bit crashy when browsing. It happened as soon as i upgraded.

Do i really need to upgrade to IE8?

Am i taking a risk if i dont?

Many Thanks

 

Upgrading IE should not affect system performance when you don't use the browser. Just stop using IE and install Opera or Chrome. Also set the alternative browser as the default one.

 

thanks for the reply

IE8 slows right down when i open my favorites, and sometime hangs when too many tabs are open.

It definitely seems less stable that IE7.

I noticed it straight away

I know what your saying about other browsers.

I got that message about other browsers after doing the updates

And i really ought to change but i have set up my IE how i like it

I suppose changing browser is a bit like getting a new mobile phone, (like takes a bit of getting used to.)

I tried firefox before but i thought it looked a bit ugly and goofy looking

 

I have noticed the IE8 issues you describe but only on really old systems or systems with low memory and cpu power. In any case IE8 is a safer browser, so I cannot suggest IE7. You could use sandboxie with IE7, but since I see you are not ok with learning or configuring a new browser, then I guess learning to use sandboxie and configure it..is out of the question.

My advice...if you'll have to stick with IE7: use a good antivirus with web shield, a good firewall+hips and visit only "safe" pages.

ps: Actually all the browsers are easy to use and configure. I think you should try again.

 

I know what your saying

i installed IE8 now. it seems to work ok on the other machine.

I've got a lot on my plate at the moment but i really should and try 'non Microsoft' browsers in 2010

 

Great

 

google88, having such a name it is almost a pity not to use Chrome as your browser! IE8 will scan executables with or without a resident AV, I believe it's called SmartScreen filter, which makes it fairly secure. On my systems it is slower than Firefox and Chrome, especially with cold starts. I use Chrome without extensions for speed but also security (it often warns about dangerous sites).

 

Never heard that one before. There are many themes to make it look the way you want (to a certain degree). Also the add-ons make it a VERY configurable browser, so maybe try it again...

 

Seems strange to post a discussion about a browser in "Malware Problems and News".
I am surprised it hasn't been moved.

Opera doesn't have enough market share to be a common target. So I would say give that a try.

 

When I upgraded to IE 8 (on Vista HP) I gave it a fortnight to impress me, it didn't. It's painfully slow on my laptop sometimes. The day after I bought this computer I downloaded Firefox 2. It was a bit of an eye-opener.

Yeah, I though that about Fx #3 onwards. I don't use it now, predominantly because of bug #510985 (Ajax Script) which unfortunately also affects SeaMonkey & makes it difficult loading on certain interactive pages (My Yahoo! Gmail etc).

I strongly recommend you have a look at Opera 10.51 (my default browser for 18 months), SRWare Iron & K-Meleon.

 

http://www.opera.com/browser/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_mU7lkE-sA&feature=player_embedded

i just watched the video, its looks really good

I'll definitely have to try it out

a lot less uglybugly compared to the FireFox

 

Are you taking a risk? Yes, but you are not alone - all of us are at risk.
Read: Hacker busts IE8 on Windows 7 in 2 minutes at http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9174101/Hacker_busts_IE8_on_Windows_7_in_2_minutes

The point is that vendors don't do security very well in-house yet.

-- Tom

Hint: Use Firefox - and learn how to setup about:config to increase your privacy. See the thread at https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=268494 for some pointers on that topic.

 

that makes for a good read..... IE anything = not safe


today i battling with the same hijacking from the other day. (see other post )
I've definitely got to use another browser

I'm trying opera later today after i clean up this crappy hijack i'm getting reoccurring

 

Well, aesthetics are subjective & some people dislike the overall look of Opera. I like to use the 'System Colour Scheme' (sort of silvery)/Opera Standard Skin with the Progress Bar in the Address Bar (which I think looks cool). I also hide the Menu bar Chrome style. I have the Main Bar at the bottom (although I don't normally have it displayed) with a custom button to toggle Javascript on/off. In this way, if I am searching the Net for something I have some control over the JS for added safety, not unlike K-Meleon's Privacy Bar. This is just as good as NoScript in my opinion, although I bet many would disagree.

I started using Opera after I had a few problems with the upgrade to Firefox 3. Although it was a dodgy plug-in causing most of my problems I downloaded Opera #9 series just to check it out. I liked it so much it has been my default browser ever since. It has its quirks but if you have problems with a page you can just right-click & open any other browser on your platform on that page. You can also content block annoying adverts as well with the right-click content blocker. Admittedly it may not render properly in all web pages but I find that problems like that are fairly uncommon. You can change its user agent to mask as Firefox or IE on pages that are problematical. Unlike K-Meleon's spoofer you can spoof your UA to a specific page. So if your mail only likes to open in IE you can set Opera to open only that page with a spoofed UA if you want.

I'm glad it's not just me that thinks Firefox #3 series is ugly/goofy looking!

They say beauty's in the eye of the beholder...maybe...

I like the overall look of Opera 10.51.

 

I like the look and speed of opera so far

but here goes all my criticism

the page look grainy like not rendered -see pic - can i change a setting or something?

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2010/03/27/03/56/6476332_299x170.jpg

also i cant use google toolbar
(this is also the case for chrome?!)

I use google toolbar for
autofill - my name and address not credit card or anything
spellcheck
translate
highlight - and click to find words fast on the page, kind of skim reading

selected text immediately appears in the google toolbar so i can search with the buttons on the bar

buttons - imdb - youtube - shopping- pictures - etc

so i kind of browse..... highlight......... search ........ in a kind of very fast momentum

I don't think i will be able to all of this in another browser without google toolbar.

GT is a bit of a one stop shop for me

I think they are going to bring it out for opera one day? I'm not sure

Also i set up in IE8 - favorites bar - right click icons only- so i have buttons fro ebay amazon myspace or any website i go to regularly. (i could probably do something like this on different browsers)

but the odd 'screen resolution looking bad' thing in opera kind of send my eyes funny

And Google toolbar is something i immediately missed

..... I'm such a grumpy old man

 

Make sure you don't have Turbo on. That will make the resolution look grainy. I'm pretty sure Opera has an auto form-fill function. Maybe you could try SeaMonkey. You could probably put the Google toolbar on that. Also you can add Pref Bar which is based on K-Meleon's Privacy bar.

 

Hi google88


I have IE8, Firefox and Opera
Been using Firefox for over 12 months now
Coz at the time I was having serious problems with IE7 ... Fixed when IE8 and Vista SP2 came along.
Would never dream of going back to being a full time IE user now.
Opera I've had for about 2 weeks now
Decided to try out Opera... Coz I just thought it would be nice to learn about another browser.
I'm still finding my way around Opera.
Love the Opera Look
But I do think it probably depends on what OS you're using - Re: How Opera Looks!
Love Opera Bookmarks - & - Opera Sync!
However!
Still think that Firefox will always be my Favourite browser


Re: Google Toolbar - & - The Way Firefox Looks!
If you saw my Firefox... You'd think that it was made by Google
I use the theme... Aeon Big
I've got the... Google Toolbar
My Home Page... iGoogle
Google Colour Themed Firefox

I also like the fact that WOT ( Web Of Trust ) works extra well with - Firefox

Opera only has a WOT Bookmarlet at the moment

Don't Think... " Oh! God! - Which browser should I have and use "

I've Found I Use All 3...
IE8 - & - InPrivate Browsing = Shopping etc.
Opera = Websites I already know and trust.
Firefox = For browsing the Web - & - My Favourite Browser!

Zeena

 

Hi

I'll probably get shouted at for this

But Here's My - Firefox




And Here's My - Opera





Zeena

 

very luurrrvy work on the customisation

I'm impressed

How long would it take to mod firefox like that?

What browsers take google toolbar, is it only IE and firefox?

(Also how do you post pictures, i never can work it out)

....... I've got more questions than answers today

thanks for posting the pics

 

Hi google88


It's hard to say how long it took me to get my Firefox looking as it does
Coz... I've kind of just added bits and bobs as time has gone on.
However!
If I had to do it all over from scratch... I'd say maybe 2 hours

Can speed things up for you though

Firefox : http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/


Aeon : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/166
OR
Aeon Big : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/767


Some Firefox Add-Ons That I Have...

WOT
From...
Here: http://www.mywot.com/
OR...
Here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456#reviews

NoScript : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722#reviews

Adblock Plus : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865#reviews

Secure Login : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4429#reviews

Flagfox : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5791#reviews

Toggle Private Browsing : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9517#reviews

Zoom Toolbar : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6118#reviews

ColourfulTabs : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1368#reviews

New Tab Homepage : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/777#reviews

Tiny Menu : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1455#reviews

TinyURL Generator : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10586

CoolPreviews : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2207#reviews

Google Shortcuts : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3576#reviews



Google Toolbar : http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/toolbar/ff/index.html


Think the real Google Toolbar is only availiable for IE and Firefox .. Not Opera



Re : Pictures









Zeena

 

Many Thanks Zeena

I feel i have to try some of this out with firefox

thanks for the links

 

Hi google88


You're Welcome!


Re: WOT
Forgot To Tell You...
WOT is also available for - Internet Explorer
And...
If You Register With - WOT : http://www.mywot.com/
You get lots more settings and control over how you use WOT
Plus...
You can Sync all your WOTs
Example!
I've Got WOT Synced With...
3 x Firefox
3 x IE8
Made Up Of...
1 x Laptop - One User
1 x Desktop - Two Users

WOT - & - Firefox .. Tip!
There is a little trick that WOT can only do in Firefox
Say someone posted a link to a website for you on a forum.
And you think - " Oh! I'm not sure about clicking that link "
With WOT In Firefox...
1) Right Click The Link
2) From The Pop Up Menu... Click - View WOT Scorecard
3) WOT Will Open - Telling you exactly where that link is going to take you if you click it.
And... If That Link Is Safe OR.. Not!


Take Your Time!
But most of all... Have Fun!

Zeena

 

I'll make this short and sweet, instead of all the former BS and answer the OP's original question in 1 word.


Q: Am I taking a risk not upgrading from Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 to IE8?

A: NO

 

You might wish to read through this Microsoft Doc. IMO, anyone using IE and using anything but IE8 is clearly using a less secure product.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...0341B13FCDE&displaylang=en&displaylang=en

 

1. Do i really need to upgrade to IE8?
2. Am i taking a risk if i dont?

1. Not necessarily, it depends on your risk profile and your other security products and practices. For example, if you have your firewall setting that prevent IEx from terminating processes and injecting code.

2. Yes, A small one most likely but I use IE 8 when forced and FF for day to day browsing with phish tank and no script.