Browser shoot-out: IE 7 v Firefox 2
Published: 31 Oct 2006
Security and performance
You can't surf the Web these days without fretting about online villains eager to take your money or your identity. Which browser offers the best?
Rafe:
I have to defer to security gurus in this category. Historically I've been impressed with how seamless installing security patches to Firefox has been. As far as privacy, both products now let you quickly erase tracks from your browser, which is good.
Score 3
Peter:
A phishing filter within IE 7 checks the Web pages you visit using heuristics and a whitelist of legitimate sites. IE 7 lets you clean out your history, temporary files, and Web cookies with one button, but it's not easy to delete specific files in those groups. Another nice browsing-security touch is the 'Web page privacy policy' feature. The past history of exploitable security holes in IE is a factor to consider.
Score 4
Elsa:
At least during setup, IE 7 appears to care about security by giving you the choice to install a phishing filter. Firefox doesn't make its security offerings obvious during setup. Both browsers allow you to clear cookie crumbs that show the sites you've seen, but we found such features tricky to find within IE 7's new interface.
Score 3
Total: 10
Rafe:
Firefox makes it a one-click operation, though, which is much better. On the other hand, it's far too easy to reveal all your stored passwords in Firefox. You can put (another) password in front of this feature, but most people won't, leaving their passwords easily visible to anybody who gets on to their PC.
Score 3
Peter:
Also adding anti-phishing measures, Firefox 2 offers a choice to check sites from a pre-existing blacklist or via Google. Firefox 2 also offers more customisation than IE 7, letting you specify which warning messages you'll receive and allowing you to view all your cookies in a list.
Score 4
Elsa:
Firefox's stronger reputation for security and Mozilla's practice of addressing vulnerabilities soon after they're discovered precedes its latest update.
Score 5
Total: 12
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Full Talkback thread
15 comments
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Biased samtheman1k -
Not half modafo 
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A worthy winner David
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FF vs IE7 1000102409
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Stumble Upon Chris Beaumont
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IE has more competition itstheRuss
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Say what? baest
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a samtheman1k
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b samtheman1k -
Standards 1000113162
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Can anyone say Opera? artpoetryfiction
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Opera all the way... 1000239755
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Tab surfing is clearly the way forward. However, m... Dean Cook
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Works with Windows 98se? ciscokid2k1
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Firefox for me. cavalireattitude
