For a More Secure Browser, Go with Internet Explorer?

Ten years ago, choosing a Web browser to use on a daily basis wasn’t that difficult. For most people, Internet Explorer wasn’t just a choice, it was a given, because who knew that other options existed? Well, of course they did, but back then, they were few, with Netscape Navigator being one of the main choices for those who wanted to break tradition and spice things up a bit.

The situation today couldn’t be more of a stark contrast compared to how it was back then. Although there are still only a handful of browsers that tend to dominate the charts, there are literally dozens to choose from that could be worthy of your usage. According to our most recent Web stats, Mozilla’s Firefox has a dominating lead, with 49.72% of the share, with Internet Explorer in second, at 30.46%. Google’s Chrome is beginning to make some real headway, with 10.01%, with both Opera and Apple’s Safari following it, each with about 4%.

Back when we first started using Google Analytics to monitor our site stats, May 2006, Internet Explorer was the top browser, with a 47.69% share. Firefox was trailing not far behind, though, at 44.68%. What’s the reason behind such a major shift, with IE diving in the charts, and Firefox growing? I think it’s obvious… more and more people are both learning of the risks of sticking with IE, and also learning of alternatives that are available.

I’ll be the first to say that Internet Explorer is more secure than ever (at least, if we’re talking about 8), but let’s be real… it’s also been the cause of some major Windows issues that history as ever known – especially since IE6 with Windows XP. So it’s rather funny that a Microsoft exec in the UK recently told TechRadar that “The net effect of switching [from IE] is that you will end up on less secure browser“.

You can draw your own conclusions from that, but for me, I think I’ll stick with Firefox, which happens to be open-sourced, and is usually patched ultra-fast whenever vulnerabilities are found.

With France and Germany both advising a move away from Internet Explorer, things are far from rosy for Microsoft’s browser, and although the vulnerability has only been used against IE6, the company has not ruled out that something similar could be used against the later versions. With Microsoft not prepared to give details of how soon a fix will be released, and advising people to leave the appalling IE6 and its successor for the latest version – IE8 – Microsoft’s UK security chief Cliff Evans insists that a non-Microsoft browser is the worse option.