Internet Software

Web Browsers, Add-ons, E-mail & Security

Web Browsers - Plug-ins - E-mail Alternatives - Web Security Issues

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Web Browsers

While the configuration of many devices, including wireless networking, and Windows Update may require that you use Internet Explorer 6, it is strongly recommended that Windows users do not use Internet Explorer for their primary browser because of significant security issues. The security vulnerabilities are more numerous and extend to the core of Windows—something that no other browser does.

Stand-alone Web Browsers

These programs simply allow you to surf the Web. External programs provide for email, chat and other functions.

Firefox is a fast, standards-compliant Web browser. It doesn't have a mail program or other added accessories to weigh it down. Strongly recommended for those that don't need a built-in email program or the other add-ins found in browser suites (below). Windows, Linux and Macintosh are currently supported with other operating systems requiring more difficult installation procedures. (Upgrade to Firefox 3 as version 2.0.0.20 is the last planned release of Firefox 2 which does not include Phishing Protection.)
Safari Browser is the Mac OS X default web browser and is now available for Windows. Safari supports the latest standards and features.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 is available for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or better. Upgrade to Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 if you don't meet the minimum requirements. Users should not run IE as their primary browser because of significant security issues.

While not technically a suite, Internet Explorer is not really a stand-alone browser either, since it is so tightly integrated into the Windows operating system. Microsoft discontinued support for Internet Explorer on the MacIntosh operating system after version 5.5.

Web Browser Suites

Mozilla Suite is an open-source web browser and toolkit (based upon Netscape), designed for standards compliance, performance and portability. Windows, Linux and Macintosh are currently supported with other operating systems requiring more difficult installation procedures. This browser is very stable. Development of Mozilla Suite appears to have slowed in favour of Firefox.
Opera is a slim yet full-featured browser that will run quickly on Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and other operating systems.
Netscape is no longer being supported. It is recommended that you use another browser.

Other Web Browsers

Lesser-known browsers can be downloaded from Russ Harvey's Web Browser listing.

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Web Browser Plug-ins

Plug-ins are software that is either designed as an add-on to your browsing experience or a software attachment that allows an existing piece of software (like Adobe's Acrobat Reader) to work in a browser.

You can test most plug-ins on the site where you download them.

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® is an add-on that allows you to read files with the proper fonts regardless of the operating system that it was created on. If you are having difficulty with the default page try the alternate download page.
Apple Quicktime allows you to play most video and audio formats on the Windows 2000/XP and MacOS X platforms only.
RealPlayer gives you real-time playback of every major media type, including QuickTime MPEG-4, Windows Media, DVDs and CDs. Premium content is available with a subscription.
Adobe Flash player and Shockwave player. Test your Flash and Shockwave installation.
Sun Java Plug-in is included in Sun Java. Test your Java installation. Obtain more information about Java.

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E-mail Program Download Sites

Free E-mail Clients

Outlook Express is one of the most vulnerable email programs for virus and spam problems since it is so tightly integrated with Windows and since it is so commonly used. You might want to consider using something else.

Stand-alone E-mail Programs

Free stand-alone email programs include:

Thunderbird is a powerful stand-alone email program from Mozilla with the motto Reclaim Your Inbox. It works great, is configurable with extensions, has advanced mail-handling and spam-filtering capabilities.
Mozilla Suite and Opera Web browsers come with integrated email programs.
Lesser-known email clients and Web-based email clients can be downloaded from Russ Harvey's site.

Web Browser Suites

Several Web browsers come with integrated email programs.

Other E-mail Programs

Lesser-known email clients and Web-based email clients can be downloaded from Russ Harvey's E-mail Clients listing including Pocomail.

Make E-mail Safer

In addition to the Web security issues noted later in this page you should change your usage practices to reflect these precautions:

Do not forward mail by attaching the original mail. This forces people to open attachments, a practice that is dangerous. Change the way your mail program forwards mail to include it in-line (within the body of the message) rather than as an attachment.
Make sure you check attachments with your antivirus program. Make sure you update the program weekly, or more frequently if you are on a broadband (cable) or other continuous connection.
It is a good idea to take your email program "off-line" to view messages since it is common for spam messages to contain a very small (1 pixel x 1 pixel) uniquely-named image that needs to be downloaded from the sender's server (it is not attached). The moment you open this type of message while on-line, you are telling the sender that your address is valid and that you actually opened the message. (More recent email programs often disable the downloading of images by default to protect you from this risk.)
Check the other Internet security issues noted on the Internet Security Issues page because they affect users and website designers.

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Web Security Issues

Web security is not a new issue, but the increase of e-commerce is creating the necessity of improving security. There are some serious flaws in some browsers. This is further aggravated by security holes in the Windows operating system.

ActiveX

ActiveX is a proprietary alternative to Java designed to enhance the performance of programs and to allow for easier upgrades to the Windows operating system. However, the lack of security allows destructive programs to use this feature to access areas of your computer that they wouldn't otherwise be able to attack.

Read more about ActiveX and how to disable it.

NetBUI

NetBUI is a component of Windows networking that is not usually necessary for a standard TCPIP dial-up connection.

Read more about NetBUI and how to disable it.

Don't Link Windows Components

Microsoft Office applications (including Outlook Express) use a programming language that allows for tight integration of the Office components and easier data linking than OLE provides. However this code provides a weakness that the Melissa class of viruses and many worm viruses have employed to spread their destruction.

Download and Install Updates

Make sure you regularly check for program updates and install them. This is you first line of defense against known security weaknesses.

Windows users can minimize known potential security risks associated with Internet Explorer browsers by updating to current versions and by maintaining your Windows Updates, particularly the critical updates. Check for flaws in other browsers that you use as well.

Windows Update.
Office Update (for Microsoft Office 2000 or later).

Browser Security Information

Information is provided on known weaknesses of various Web browsers in use. Sometimes you need to dig to find this information, but the competition may point out the flaws for you.

Check for Internet Explorer Security Bulletins for news about flaws.
Check the Mozilla Security Center for known issues.
Check Security Advisories for Opera.

As Netscape is no longer being maintained, it is strongly recommended that anyone using any version of Netscape immediately move to another browser.

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Submitting Link Suggestions

We only link to sites relevant to our site content. We do not do link exchanges for SEO, but to enhance the content on this site. See our guidelines, particularly regarding the relevance of your link.

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