Which Web Browser is more secure: IE or Firefox?
February 13, 2009 Computer Safety Tip
The main contenders continue to be Internet Explorer and Firefox with the recent addition of Google Chrome. 
Apple’s Safari browser continues to be a strong component in the Mac world.
With Internet Explorer’s security history came the trustworthy Firefox browser and that too suffered from a few minor attacks. Recently IE has gained some credibility back with Version 7 while the race continuous mainly between IE and Firefox.
What do the experts say?
IE and Firefox are more targeted by hackers vs. the newer Google Chrome due to the fewer number of people that use Chrome.
When Firefox was launched by Mozilla in late 2004, numerous computer users were happy to discover an alternative to IE whose repute for security was very questionable after the many security patches and discovered vulnerabilities. IE users believed it was a good situation where Microsoft would constantly “improve” upon their product. Firefox was the one that played the catch-up game for some time where they implemented new features to compete. Recent versions of Mozilla’s Firefox have ability to add on several popular plug-ins that aided in the security level of the Firefox browser.
IE is the definite choice in this matter although many companies are finding it beneficial to utilize both browsers for testing purposes especially in the internet marketing and blogging field. IE has been through the ringer when it comes to being patch from security vulnerabilities and by now we think it should be the safer choice. From built in features such as a phishing filter to the ability to change your security settings on the fly, IE remains to be on par as being a safer choice as does the newest version of Firefox.
Which one is the Winner?
In terms of being vulnerable to attacks, all web browsers are pretty much the same. The same can be said for other browsers such as Google Chrome and Safari. When it comes to multilayered security a web browser cannot do the job on its own. Security has to basically be provided either by other security applications, plug-ins or the latest security update supplied by the vendor.
