For years we have been recommending you use third party browsers for your Internet surfing. We have always recommended using browsers like Firefox, Chrome and Maxthon. Now even more then ever this is still the case, or is it.

 

It seems wherever you go people are telling you to stay away from IE. In 2014 alone a record number of vulnerabilities were found in regards to Internet Explorer. In fact at one point, Homeland Security advised against using it until a major security flaw was patched. The patch was issued for all versions of Internet Explorer including folks who were using the retired XP operating system. This was supposed to make everything great in paradise again. The fact is, when Homeland Security tells you not just once but twice to stop using a browser, it really gets you thinking.

 

There is another angle to look at, however. It seems there is another browser that is getting infections almost just as much as IE. That browser is Chrome. We are starting to see more and more cases where Chrome has been compromised and corrupted by Malware to the point to where it has to be removed from the machine. We are seeing this more and more as time goes on. We are also seeing similar issues with Firefox but not near as much as with Chrome.

 

Now, lets look at Exploits. This is essentially a horse of a different color compared to virus and Malware infections. It appears that IE is the looser in this category. There were fewer exploits in third party browsers then there was with Internet Explorer. The one g=big disadvantage you have with IE is that is not just a simple task of uninstalling and reinstalling a new version when something goes a muck. There are times when the only fix is to reinstall the operating system. When you use a third party browser, all you usually have to do is uninstall and reinstall the software when there is a problem.

 

The one browser that was never mentioned in the tests is Maxthon. This is our browser of choice and we have been using it for years. We have never contracted a virus using this browser. Unlike Firefox and Chrome, which rely on Internet Explorer to work in order for the browser to work, Maxthon has its own engine that is actually based on a Chrome framework. It is secure and since it does not easily allow plug-ins to attach themselves to the browser, it tends to keep a lot of the nuisance Malware from affecting it.

 

The one plug in that is the most dangerous of all for any browser is Java. Java is the devils workshop and quite frankly, few applications are still using it. You will hardly ever require it except for some games. I recommend you disable it or at least set the security levels to the highest position possible using the Java control panel.

 

As a note, the new Firefox has added a feature that checks your downloads against a list that is maintained by Google. This list helps to determine if the download is safe or not. This is a great addition that can help Firefox be just a safer.

 

The bottom line is that it will almost always be a users choice as to which browser that they are going to use. Some folks will continue to use IE regardless of what is said about it and others will always be Mozilla fans. If you practice safe surfing, you can remain reasonably safe with any browser of your choosing. Our first choice has and always will be Maxthon. It simply is the fastest, most secure and has the maximum number of features. New features are being added on a monthly basis. If you are a bit adventurous, you can always try the latest BETA versions and see all the new features first hand.