Is Microsoft's Internet Explorer safe to use?

**RU Joe** · 11-03-2012, 03:39 AM

I've heard so many negative things about it lately - from malware infections to system failures, so I want to know what you guys think.
Please provide your reasoning, because frankly I'm just not sure anymore.

**Dudebro** · 11-03-2012, 03:50 AM

I am certainly no expert but from my experience it sucks. I hear lots of bad things about it too. I just avoid it at all costs.

**ZedIsDead** · 11-03-2012, 09:13 AM

You'd be much better served with Firefox or Chrome, but you can use IE without much issue. Really, as long as you're even a little internet-savvy, all browsers are pretty much safe.

**KATZ** · 11-03-2012, 11:01 AM

i didnt know all that could happen... since you know, IE is just a firefo

chrome downloader

**Retroman** · 11-03-2012, 11:11 AM

i was born with IE

**Kong** · 11-03-2012, 12:55 PM

If you have Windows Vista, Win 7 or later then IE is very safe as long as you are even just mildly internet savvy. By Internet savvy I mean you don't see a huge warning and click dismiss without thinking about it.

Under default settings on Vista or higher IE is probably the safest browser.

Currently ArcadeOX works best with IE. This will not always be true.

IMO the biggest difference between IE and Firefox is IE is a CPU hog which causes your computer fan to run harder and longer. Firefox is a memory hog. Both can cause other programs to temporarily slow down in certain but different scenarios.

I use Firefox.

**Dudebro** · 11-03-2012, 01:41 PM

I voted no because for the average user IE seems like a bad choice. I've used it periodically and it just annoys me with little issues here and there. One big one that bugged me was pop ups, I never see those anymore with FF. With IE I see them, even with their version of the blocker. Maybe I set it up wrong or something but I dunno.

**Kugyince** · 11-03-2012, 02:18 PM

Chrome for me.

**Slime Slayer** · 11-03-2012, 02:56 PM

I got FF on my lappy, and Chrome on my work computer. I really really really really really really really really hate the fact that FF tries to update pretty much all the time. Everytime I start the damn thing I have to click no I don't want to update, then every now and again I accidentally click yes and then need to re-install the old version. Incredibly annoying, and no doubt is playing a big role in their decline over the last few years.

**RU Joe** · 11-03-2012, 06:04 PM

Kong:

Quote:

Under default settings on Vista or higher IE is probably the safest browser.

I find that very interesting, I thought that Firefox was the safest and that's why so many people switched to it.
What's your take on Safari {when run on a PC}?

Tenser:

Quote:

Chrome for me.

Do you find it more or less resource - demanding than the others?

SC:

Quote:

I really really really really really really really really hate the fact that FF tries to update pretty much all the time. Everytime I start the damn thing I have to click no I don't want to update, then every now and again I accidentally click yes and then need to re-install the old version. Incredibly annoying, and no doubt is playing a big role in their decline over the last few years.

I notice this too, and also

DB:

Quote:

One big one that bugged me was pop ups, I never see those anymore with FF. With IE I see them, even with their version of the blocker.

Ads, Adverts, Advertisements, however you want to say it, they're DRIVING ME NUTS!
Some do get 'blocked', as you say, but what difference does that make most of the time - there's usually a few flashing away at you from somewhere on the screen, or else some overlay invades your screen entirely - just barges right in like it owns the place, and here's my beef:

I feel that I pay a lot already for my internet connection, and think I should be exempt from most if not all advertisements due to that fact.
I know it's silly to say but that's just how I am - I say what's on my mind, good, bad, or ugly.

**Dudebro** · 11-03-2012, 08:28 PM

I never see ads or pop ups on FF with ad blocker installed. The only time it happens is if I disable my blocker because it's blocking parts of a site. That is very rare though, because I am not willing to disable the blocker unless I know the site is worth it.

You think ads on your browser is bad? On Xboxlive we now have ads on the main menu or dashboard. Some are videos that blast sound when you try to scroll past them. Live is like 50 bucks a year. You can image how unpopular this is with the fanbase, Microsoft does not even bat an eyelash about it. I don't use the menu though, but it's still annoying.

**RU Joe** · 11-03-2012, 10:44 PM

[/COLOR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman

i was born with IE

Ah, so you are in fact an A.I. - a digital entity, then?

( Click to show/hide )

That's cool, I've long suspected we have a few of you 'guys' here on Retro Uprising
already.

DB:

Quote:

You think ads on your browser is bad? On Xboxlive we now have ads on the main menu or dashboard. Some are videos that blast sound when you try to scroll past them. Live is like 50 bucks a year. You can image how unpopular this is with the fanbase

On the sound blasting thing, I agree, too many sites have those annoying little videos playing way down near the bottom or off to the side so you have to scan around to find where the

the noise is coming from in the first place.

So far as Microsoft doing this on XBox and not acknowledging their fans concerns, no surprise there; they're like the banks = too big to fail and the younger people will just go along with it because they simply don't know any better.

But I think it is a good indication of the overall mentality of Corporations like Microsoft.

So, if they don't give a crap about you guys on Xbox then why should they about people using their Internet Explorer?
Yeah I know, rant rant rant ..

**kiwinavega** · 11-04-2012, 03:51 PM

I don't use IE because I have no need to. I prefer Firefox, although the updates are annoying. I use Chrome on my laptop but mostly because it's linked up to my Gmail and my Google Drive and I mostly use it for work.

Chrome is a bit worrying in terms of privacy as I seem to be always logged in to all sorts of stuff (just what data is it collecting?).

Generally, as long as you're sensible (don't take the free emoticons or become a winner because you;re a lucky site visitor!) then it should be fine. It's just a vehicle to the good stuff on the web anyway.

**N64Frk** · 11-05-2012, 03:27 PM

I can't stand IE, it's waaaay to slow for me. :/ I just use chrome or firefox.

**Seahawk** · 11-05-2012, 06:13 PM

IE is probably safe and okay to use now. Previous versions however were so slow, any alternative was better. Back in 2004 when I first learned about Firefox I downloaded it and never looked back.

**520outlaw** · 11-05-2012, 10:30 PM

i read on microsofts site that if ie has automatic updates then you are find to use it... the patch automatically installs itself unless you have autoupdate disabled ... but as for ie it sucks bad it has and always will be horrible imo... chrome works best for me

**Mareeps** · 11-05-2012, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclechicken

I only use IE to download FireFox when I reinstall windows on my computer.

Any other reason IE runs on my computer is because i've clicked it by mistake, and have to wait ages for it to load, just to close it...

This.

**FudgyDRS** · 11-09-2012, 09:33 AM

It truely depends on what firewall software your using, for example Norton, McAfee, and Raytheon Systematic are all optimized for running on windows software inculding the most recent builds of internet explorer, other software like Malware Bytes is inferior in some ways but it also monitor different web browsers like Safari and Chrome. My personal perferance for web browsers would be Chrome or IE just because I'm more familar with them and because of the end page loading function, and that they (for me) crash less often then Firefox. As far as page loading is concerned it's really a matter of how much avalible memory your willing/able to expend (assuming a resonable bandwidth) on your web browser, generally IE takes signifigantly more memory then other web browsers while idle and auto stores the current page (can be disabled).

To have your web browser open quicker you could try changing the start-up propeties (updates, page restore, home page, autocomplete, etc.) and try to make sure you arn't running too many backround programs.

**lestat7902** · 11-09-2012, 11:13 AM

I use FF over IE. The way it was explained to me by someone a lot more computer savy then me is that IE is tied to the windows operating system overall and that a IE problem could corrupt your entire windows function. It's like having your entire car break down because the little light under the hood doesn't come on.

**FudgyDRS** · 11-09-2012, 11:45 AM

Your windows system defaults are linked to IE (i.e. service calls). If IE is corrupted it can interfere with remote access and debugging through Microsoft website, other then that IE in itself shouldn't harm your computer (windows OS); given this you can change your system dependences while in safe mode so that when you do make network calls you connect directly through your internet access point without calling IE to be opened.