If you browse with Internet Explorer, get the latest version

Microsoft's Internet Explorer remains the most popular browser in the world. This despite report after report calling the program less secure than Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and other free competitors.

Yet IE remains the preferred browser of nearly four out of five people surfing the Web. If you're one of the Web majority, there's one thing you can do to enhance your online security: Update to the latest IE release.

According to Net Applications, IE 6 accounted for more than 26 percent of the browser market in June 2008, while IE 7 was used by over 46 percent of all people on the Web. If your PC runs Windows 2000 or an earlier version of the OS, you can't upgrade to version 7 of IE. Unless your boss insists that you use the older version of the browser on XP or Vista, you've got no excuse for not upgrading to the safer IE 7.

Unfortunately, Microsoft updates the browser only once a month, and even then not all known holes in the browser will be plugged, as Michael Horowitz pointed out in his Defensive Computing blog last week (scroll down to read the updates).

Even with Microsoft's spotty update record, it pays to upgrade to IE 7, and to download and install all available security patches for that version of the browser. If you set Windows to download updates automatically but prompt you to install them, or to alert you when updates are ready to download (as I described in a previous post), click the update-alert icon when it appears in your system tray to open the Windows Update Control Panel applet. In Vista, choose "View available updates" in the right pane under the Install Updates button.

Click "View available updates" under the Install Updates button in Vista's Windows Update applet.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Check the updates you want to install. Look specifically for security patches for Internet Explorer. Once you've made your selections, click Install.

Check the Windows (and IE) updates you want to add and click the Install button.

(Credit: Microsoft)

As with all Windows updates, you may want to wait a day or two after an IE patch is released before installing it. Then keep an eye on the tech-news sites for reports of update-related glitches. If all appears to be well with the update, add it to your system. Remember what they say about the pioneers being the ones with the arrows in their backs.

[chabig83]

"Yet IE remains the preferred browser of nearly four out of five people surfing the Web."

This statement is too strong, indicating that people actually choose to use IE. The fact is that most people just use what's given to them. A better statement would have been "Yet IE is the browser nearly 80% of people use to surf the web."

[mhinnewyork]

I agree. Many IE users never heard of Firefox, let alone Opera or Safari. They haven't made a choice, they didn't know there was a choice. Michael Horowitz

[Arrgster]

I agree with chabig83

Not only do people just use it because it is what is given them, but a lot of websites use active x code that you can only use with IE. Thus forcing people to use IE, so in some instances people don't really have a choice.

Also before you jump on the IE7 bandwagon I would test your apps. We have a few apps that IE7 actually breaks and had to do some work to fix them.

[nettechguy]

I agree with chabig83. I'm in tech support and most people in my company don't even know what OS they're running nevermind what browser they use. Most people just use whats given to them and thats the only reason IE is the #1 browser and always will be. Most people either don't care or not informed enough to make the right decision when it comes to choosing a browser, and half of them probably don't even know theres other choices out there.

[rickdev]

Agree with the above. I use IE mostly because it was always on a computer I buy, and just have never felt the urge to change. But the more and more that Firefox is accepted, the more I am willing to give it a shot. My wife just recently started using Firefox all the time, because she was having issues with IE and got tired of it.

[rmva]

I agree. Business people use old computers, with old operating systems and old browsers. It's just the way it is.

[Kev Orng]

While I agree that most people use what's given them, not all do. In the 90s when I was much less knowledgeable about computers, OSs and browsers than I am now, the first thing I did on any machine I got for myself or set up for family was switch the default browser to Netscape. Because of my stint as family IT, I know a lot more now then I did then, and I'm happy I went with a preference over the default, even if I didn't really know why. Now, after roughly 13 years of web use, I'm fairly pleased that none of my family has used IE for more than the few weeks it takes me to get around to stopping by their houses for my "optimize your new computer for steak" program, and upgrade the browser to the alternative browser of the day. Right now they're all on Firefox, except my brother, who can't afford steak.

[john5540]

theirs a guy on Defensive Computing who'd advise against immediately using the latest and greatest version of IE

[mhinnewyork]

Many people would agree with what Dennis wrote - about waiting a day or two before installing patches from Microsoft. The track record being what it is - just ask ZoneAlarm users (not sure who was to blame in that case).

Interesting thing is, I can't recall a patch to Firefox causing a problem. Maybe they're lucky, better programmers or benefitting from not being brutally integrated into the OS. Or a combination of the above. Michael Horowitz

[jimwhite467]

I disagree with the trolls who continue their Microsoft bashing.
I love IE and so do the millions out there who have chosen to use
it over the other browsers. I have tried really hard to use Firefox,
but I hate it. The silent majority loves IE.

[saintseminole]

Jim, I'm sure there are many like you, and that's okay. Firefox surely isn't for everyone, and we understand that many people don't like the "trouble" of installing a new program.

However, in my experience as the default IT guy at my company (because no one else will do it), and as the IT guy for my family, I've learned that at least half of the people I deal with don't even know there are other ways to get on the internet. When I mentioned the idea to my Dad, he asked, "So there's a different internet?"

But of the people I know and work with who have half an idea of what a computer does, more than 90 percent of them use either Firefox or Safari.

[skillingssucks]

Yeah, they're the trolls here, not you...right? Get a clue, clown.

[mhinnewyork]

In the early days of Firefox it was a bit hard to use because a non-trivial number of websites didn't display properly with it. But, that's very rare now, in fact FF 3 no longer has the optional button to report a website that doesn't display properly. Michael Horowitz

[Astinsan]

most don't know there is a difference... Thats why I insist on telling people to use firefox. I even show them what it will do that IE can't.

[nelzp0929]

Such as?

[rcrusoe]

We require our users to run Firefox (we lock IE in high security) and recommend that they also run it at home. But, we tell them, if you choose to use IE update it regularly. You'll still "get mugged" if you run it, but only by the top 20% or so of malware/hackers if it's up to date.

[jimwhite467]

Read Firefox myths: http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/FirefoxMyths.html

[skillingssucks]

Still posting that same b.s.?

[moyuhappy]

Good article,add Favorite to bookmovie.org

[alakapilla]

nice

[alakapilla]

good