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| And safer. Yes, I do this not only for my benefit but for others' too. IE leaves the Web less safe for everyone. |
As I've said before, if Firefox was the browser that 85 to 95% of computer Internet users used, we would remain in the same boat.
Hackers are the virus. The browser is simply the conveyance system. I say protect yourself and let the hacker hack away - just as anti-bodies are created in the human system to cope with viral attack, so will the security measures become better in browsing software.
And it's nice to think you are helping others, but defensive behavior by means of avoidance rarely works - it only saves the one doing the avoiding while allowing others to find the problems to fix. 
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| As I've said before, if Firefox was the browser that 85 to 95% of computer Internet users used, we would remain in the same boat. |
And as I replied:
"...but you can bet that a fix will be available almost immediately after the security problem is identified."
Not the same boat at all.
| ...just as anti-bodies are created in the human system to cope with viral attack, so will the security measures become better in browsing software. |
And they do. But it's likely going to be down to a number of these alternative browsers. Few trust Microsoft to keep up or to even care, based on its behaviour to date.
| ...it only saves the one doing the avoiding while allowing others to find the problems to fix. |
We're each a part of the same network, and one "vulnerability" can quickly propagate...
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Onceupon: Have it your way buddy. I'm not here to talk you out of anything or to out-talk you. 
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But I (and others?) am learning and enjoying the exchange on the issue.
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Well, razoman, my point was that using Firefox or any other browser instead of IE is really a moot point since computer users who care about attacks to their computers should already be using a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software to protect themselves from hackers.
Personally, I use ZoneAlarm Security Suite since it has a better firewall than what Microsoft has built in to WinXP and strong anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. ZoneAlarm isn't the only vendor of such security programs. Norton, McAfee, Trend Mirco, and others have their offerings.
ZoneAlarm, to new users unfamilar with what a good firewall can do, may become slightly annoyed because ZoneAlarm will alert you everytime a program tries to access the Internet or when someone from the Internet is trying to gain access to your computer. These ZA alerts come with a check-box to check, telling ZA that it is okay for that program to go on the Internet and you want ZA to remember that so you don't get another alert about it. Of course, in the beginning ZA will alert a new user for everything until it learns what you tell it is okay. Once it knows the programs you use with the Internet, alerts will drop dramatically. And you will surprised at times when someone from the outside wants in - you will be notified and can block them by clicking on ZA's alert "block" button or you can choose "allow".
Other issues Onceupon has tried to convey to me are that Firefox is safer, that Microsoft is lackadazzical about offering timely security patches to close so-called holes (which all browsers have - if they didn't, you couldn't get to the Internet). I've tried to explain that it simply is untrue that Microsoft is slow with patching IE. Very critical patches have come quickly while others that are very low risk have taken a bit more time. Microsoft will use time, when it has it, to make sure everything works properly for all users - corporate, governmental and individual.
Anyway, while it may be true that Firefox, as well as other little used browsers, are safer, this is ONLY true because hackers want to reach the masses and the corporate world, which use IE far and away more than any other browser. Still, even Firefox has recently had to deal with holes in it browser. Why? Because it is well known by hackers that it is quickly becoming the number 2 browser being used as flocks of scared users have been switching to it. You see hackers don't care about Microsoft or Mozilla (Firefox) - they will hack the browser most used, period! They want to see the biggest bang (effect) for their efforts - they want to know they can affect users of the Internet, if only "because they can do it".
Now, computer folks who don't properly secure their computer with a security suite should run and hide behind a lesser known and used browser. That might be the only protection they have. And if this is the least they are willing to do, then I encourage them to run as fast as they can.
Onceupon has tried to tell me
| Few trust Microsoft to keep up or to even care [referring to browser patches and updates], based on its behaviour to date. |
But then why are 80 to 95% of computer users still using IE? I really think Onceupon meant "some" don't trust Microsoft. 
Anyway, I've noticed in many people in my life time that the best they can do is the least they can do. This kind of thinking sadly infects many computer users, as they do not properly protect their computers in the first place. To all those users who continue to do their least to protect themselves I say if it's easier for you to switch browsers to offer yourself some protection, do it then! But when your browser becomes popular like Firefox is starting to do, be prepared to jump to the next little used browser.
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