Browsers: Firefox not as safe?
Using Firefox? Get NoScript.net
by guberro - 12/9/05 7:54 AM In reply to: Firefox not as safe? by comicfanNoScript is a great little download available for Firefox which makes it difficult, if not impossible to download ActiveX scripts WITHOUT your permission.
FYI, unpermissioned Active X download & installs are the major source of bugs getting into your system.
I have to agree Paul.
by Benf - 12/9/05 8:31 AM In reply to: Firefox not as safe? by comicfanI left IE for a more secure Firefox when it first became avalable, I am on the internet a great deal, Firefox had a number of problems at first but because it was being touted by CNET as being more secure I stuck with it, I have kept up with updates but the spyware and cookie problem and that Darn minibug became so bad that I went back to Internet Explorer, Problem Solved, MSIE appears to be far better than Firefox in the security department and it's nice that I can view all the web pages that I want to now and not just most of them, CNET seems to love Firefox just because it's not MSIE but early on in Firefoxes history CNET did say that as Firefox became more popular flaws and security holes would be found, I knew that was true but had no idea how buggy Firefox would really be.
Yes...
by comicfan - 12/9/05 8:51 AM In reply to: I have to agree Paul. by BenfThat's just it, FX is going to be attacked as well, and the more popular it gets the worse it will be. The thing is, I do like FX, but as soon as you say anything against it, or even ask, (not saying here) but the FX community wants your head on a stick. That kind of support I can do without. I did find the reason behind my problem but some reply back as if they never read my post, that defensive attitude, you know? I am simply trying to weigh the bad and good. Like I said, I would be a liar to say I had much trouble with IE, simply put, I haven't. Whether I have been lucky or cautious or both, when it comes to deciding between the two, this still sits on my shoulder as a positive. I like FX's features, smoothness and they do take care of security issues unlike IE, where they get ignored. Still, when use a browser for the first time and get spyware all over, that has to make a person question a bit, it did for me anyway. Thanks for the reply, take care and Happy Holidays to you.
Paul
It may be a permission issue.
by mhuddy - 12/9/05 1:53 PM In reply to: I have to agree Paul. by BenfTelling us that you’re having problems with malware installing on your system tells me that you may be doing your day to day computing task in an account with administrator privileges. This allows websites to install and execute software without your expressed permission.
The best action that you can take is to do your day to day computing in a limited account and leave the administrator account just for system maintenance; installing new programs, disk defragging, spy and virus scanning, and so on. Most malware needs administrative privileges to install and by using a limited account you close that door. For the most part this is Apples secret to security, by default all OSX (UNIX) user accounts are limited accounts out of the box.
Another action that I take is to disable java scripts by default. I don’t need websites running code that I didn’t ask it to. Quick Java, a FireFox extension allows you to disable or enable java and java scripts from the status bar for those times you do need to run java scripts.
I’ve been running my machine as a limited user for the last year and a half and have had zero problems with malware since.
i agree with you
by robert1 - 12/10/05 7:15 PM In reply to: It may be a permission issue. by mhuddyI just discovered this idea myself. I've been having troubles with my wife and kid not being as careful as they should be. I haven't had any problems since I changed them over to limited accounts.
wimpy is right
by aaarg - 12/9/05 9:08 AM In reply to: Firefox not as safe? by comicfanfirefox is not in any way less secure than ie.
it seems many people mistake more secure as foolproof and begin to surf in ways that are more risky.
stay away from porn sites and shady looking sites in general. also, do not click on those stupid links in your junk mail, just because firefox is more secure does not mean that you are safe, you are safer.
thoroughly read wimpy's reply though as it has some good examples on how to keep your browser cleaner.
good luck!
Ok, please...
by comicfan - 12/9/05 1:31 PM In reply to: wimpy is right by aaargI guess some assume I am just browsing unprotected, allowing all this spyware, whatever. Please read my posts carefully and you will see that I do use all the needed protection.(which I posted) I don't go to porn sites or other crap.(which i posted) I go to CNET, Ebay, and mostly tech sites. I got this garbage (not minibug) from using an add on in FX. (Which I did post) I had to question FX for it's security even so. I DON'T have Weatherbug, nor will I. I still have to say, even with a bad add on, how easy it seemed to use FX as a gateway, too easy in my opinion, and so far, I am hardly impressed with FX or IE. I love FX's custom browsing windows etc... but I also like my windows on all my sites to come up. I do like the password protect password feature also. All in all, I do like FX better, how can I not? As I said in my reply, I was happy it was an add on and not FX itself , so far....For now, i'll stay with the Fox.
Paul
ok please
by bushranger2001 - 12/9/05 4:07 PM In reply to: Ok, please... by comicfanbest way to stop all this is to download it to my documents or something like that,do not open them,then right click on the new download and click on the scan with antiviruse before opening the file or addon,never open a download allways save it and do the antiviruse scan,hope this helps you,if you do not have this feature in your antiviruse then download one that can do a scan after you do the download,plus make sure you can do a boot scan,you will be suprised at what that brings up,good luck
Makes me wonder...
by steve_is - 12/9/05 5:42 PM In reply to: Ok, please... by comicfancomicfan,
Although you claim that you only visit "safe" sites, you also claim that your problem was caused by StumbleUpon - an extension to FireFox that sends you to various websites that you have never visited before.
If you Google "StumbleUpon reviews" you will see that this extension is highly rated and that there are no negative reviews to be found (other than yours).
You claim to "...have all the firewalls, spyware etc", this also makes me wonder, running more than one firewall can end in disaster. Also, you only name one or two programs in your security "suite", for all we know you may have installed some "free" security software off the net that contains a virus or spyware - a very common occurance these days.
BarbiLee's car analogy is apt, but she forgot about the drivers. The people that made FireFox are the race car drivers of the web, they KNOW the vehicle. If StumbleUpon (or any extension) was a problem, it would get the ax and right now! These people READ the CODE, it's not hidden like MS stuff.
I think that it is much more likely that your problems arise from either - making poor decisions, having very poor protection, or not updating the protection that you do have.
I use -
Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
MS AntiSpyware
SpywareBlaster
CWShredder
ClamWin
AntiVir
Kerio Firewall
RootKitRevealer
CCleaner
- many of these auto-update, if not, most with do one click and...all are free. I also have FireFox extensions that block flash, ads, re-directions, pop-ups and java/java scripts.
Have a nice week-end,
Steve
AntiHook
Keep wondering
by comicfan - 12/9/05 9:30 PM In reply to: Makes me wonder... by steve_is<<Although you claim that you only visit "safe" sites, you also claim that your problem was caused by StumbleUpon - an extension to FireFox that sends you to various websites that you have never visited before.>>
This is a moronic statement if I ever heard one. When I mean safe sites, I mean non porn and garbage like that. I don't recall the last time I looked for drivers or tech news and found a naked woman on my screen, but hey, you never know. Doesn't any browser take you to sites you may never have been on? Stumbleupon was supposed to take you to top rated in that catagory, yet you make it sound like a dirty site search.
<<If you Google "StumbleUpon reviews" you will see that this extension is highly rated and that there are no negative reviews to be found (other than yours).>>
Funny, I don't recall leaving a review on there. Must have been sleeping. Also cometsys uses add ons to exploit , so even if not Stumbleupon itself causing the grief, it was being used as an open door.
<<You claim to "...have all the firewalls, spyware etc", this also makes me wonder, running more than one firewall can end in disaster. Also, you only name one or two programs in your security "suite", for all we know you may have installed some "free" security software off the net that contains a virus or spyware - a very common occurance these days.>>
I love illiteracy. I said I have ZoneAlarm, adaware, privacymantra, Ccleaner, Ewido, fixitutilities anti-v with spyware util, spywareblaster. This isn't enough for you? Some of these are free but well known. How many more does a person need huh?
<<BarbiLee's car analogy is apt, but she forgot about the drivers. The people that made FireFox are the race car drivers of the web, they KNOW the vehicle. If StumbleUpon (or any extension) was a problem, it would get the ax and right now! These people READ the CODE, it's not hidden like MS stuff.>>
This is what bug reporting is for.correct?? Unknown issues??
<<I think that it is much more likely that your problems arise from either - making poor decisions, having very poor protection, or not updating the protection that you do have.>>
I think you are one of those people who don't completely read other's replies and jump to conclusions. I think you are one of those people who get mad if someone doesn't agree with your idea of a browser. I think you make too many assumptions. I KNOW that none of your statements are true and I am probably wasting time writing this on you.
I will say in closing, I didn't say I don't like FX, actually I said I liked it and hated IE. Perhaps I am some evil IE spy trying to bring down firefox? So I lie about everything? You just keep wondering away....
Funny
by yorba - 12/9/05 11:26 PM In reply to: Keep wondering by comicfanFace it comicfan, you can't win. Your posts will be misread by those who want to hear no wrong said about the program they swear by ... even if you yourself defend it. And the add-ons are all honest and good, even if some of them cause the problems because they are written to intentionally do so, or are poorly written. They are all good because everyone involved with FX is honest and will not allow poorly written or garbage add-ons to exist. Yup, right. And the problems you are experienced are your own fault for being careless, using too many firewalls, not enough protection, too much protection, intentionally going to sites that foster bad programs, using the Internet, using a computer ... and so on. I just came home from a company Christmas party at the Improv Comedy Club ... I hate to admit it, but there are more laughs here than at the club. 
lol thank you
by comicfan - 12/9/05 11:34 PM In reply to: Funny by yorbaI needed a good chuckle tonight, so thank you. I guess to sum it up, my words fall on deaf ears. Some are worse than children when told "NO". I don't feel I slammed FX badly, heck I was happy that I found the cause. Being an IE spy isn't easy you know...oops gotta go, agent XP has some news for me.....
Paul
Firefox problems ??
by tenbob - 12/9/05 1:41 PM In reply to: Firefox not as safe? by comicfanYou say you have firewall, etc. I use free AVG for the viruses, Counterspy for the spyware, Adaware for the ads and Spyware in addition. I have had none of the problems you are having and I do a lot of browsing.
Me too
by morninglory - 12/9/05 3:57 PM In reply to: Firefox not as safe? by comicfanI installed Firefox just to see if it was beter than IE and, at first, it seemed much faster, etc. However, I can't get some of my videos that I can get on IE. Also some of my games won't load. I have been getting quite a few alerts from Zone Alarm when I'm using Firefox that I didn't get with IE. I still use IE quite a bit and may go back to it entirely. Like you, I only got some spyware with IE. Nothing serious.
I think that this is set up
by ivan.icin - 12/9/05 7:57 PM In reply to: Firefox not as safe? by comicfanMy friend had so much spyware on his computer using IE, that he eventually even bought new computer after the old one worked like a fridge - well there were so many spyware programs that it really sounded like that.
I've installed Firefox on his computer and never heard he had any problems.
BTW, tracking cookies are interesting thing that shows how much one knows about technology. First of all, tracking cookies can't bring any damage to your computer. Then, they can be useful if site tracks your behaviour and adopts properly. Again, they can be misused if site tracks your behaviour and acts in a malicious way (e.g. offering you higher price if site knows you are about to buy), but it clearly depends on the site you visit, and you know, even in the real world you can't have same results visiting every shop, as some businesses are malicious. Back on tracking cookies, Firefox allows you to easily chose which sites will be able to set cookies, while IE allows this in theory, but in the practice it takes so much work to set this up properly that you will probably decide to use it "as is".
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