Best Browser for Malware Protection? - Comments Page 1

I LIKE Firefox, and dread switching to another, less-familiar-to-me browser.

Any suggestions for boosting Firefox security (beyond anti-virus software and firewall?)

The article fails to mention that Chrome and Firefox (at least) support a host of 3rd party extensions that provide additional levels of security for bad URLs, scripting, and hijack protectors. Perhaps the need for an additional article.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can look for link checker addons that provide this functionality. My problem is, I'm not sure if any of them are better than the built-in link checking tools that Chrome and Firefox already have. If anyone has experience with these, please post.

I try to avoid Google products because I know they major interest is in selling private information to marketers. How can I trust their browser to be any different than their other privacy sucking products? I can't trust them since each product they produce is another intrusion into people's personal lives. The only corporation I trust less is Facebook.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm not an apologist for Google, but it's not fair to say that they are "selling private information." See http://askbobrankin.com/is_googles_privacy_policy_evil.html -- especially the last few paragraphs.

Just a few minutes ago before reading this article I tried to open a site you recommended with chrome it would not open til I switched to Firefox.
Chrome gave me no clue why it would not open but now we know.
Maybe to much protection.there is a fine line I suppose.

Thank you for all the great advice.

I use Google Chrome as my primary browser; and although (as with nearly anything, at least with computers) it is irritating at times, I'm relatively pleased with it overall. That being said, I used to use Firefox... my main reason for using it as my primary browser was the add-on, 'NoScript'. NoScript, along with malware protection installed on my computer, always gave me a better than decent sense of security. My reasons for adopting Chrome as my primary browser had nothing to do with security... I just tried it, and liked its performance and features better (Firefox had started becoming bloated and unstable, IMO, as well). I'm curious how Firefox would have tested with NoScript added into the equation.

Thanks for a great summary, and the link to the source artice. Can these results be extended back to older browser versions, specifically for Internet Explorer? WinXP is still one of the most widely distributed and used OS's, but cannot run IE-10. It topped out at IE 7 or 8. [Disclosure, I do the volunteer IT support for a couple of non profits that run WinXP environments.] Does Microsoft do such a stand out job on their other still current and distributed versions of Internet Explorer?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I can't extrapolate from the NSS study, but IE9 offers both Smartscreen Filter and the Application Reputation feature. So my guess is that it would perform on par with IE10 as far as blocking malicious websites. IE8 has Smartscreen filter, but not Application Reputation.

Thanks for this article. Have upgraded to new computer so went from Windows XP to Windows 8 and like the change. Used Chrome quite a bit before using Internet Explorer 10.

I like IE10 so far and getting used to using it.

A very informative and, for me, reassuring article. I've always preferred using IE, despite the publicity hyping of the competition. I wouldn't touch Firefox with a mile-long bargepole.

You neglected to mention all the problems IE10, which was loaded automatically by Windows, has caused to many users. One example is that we no longer can add attachments to any E-Mail. If you Google IE10 you will get thousands of hits stating all the problems. Sometimes is better to have less protection but at least have a working browser. Perhaps you can dedicate one of your articles to this catastrophe. It will be much appreciated by many even though Windows has not found the solution.

By the way my posting in reference to IE10 refers to its use with Windows 7 not 8.

thanks bob for that info it helped

I recently downloaded and installed Comodo Dragon on my wife's laptop for her. I chose it since she was already familiar with Chrome and Dragon afforded (supposedly) additional layers of protection while she does her surfing thing.
It is actually a very nice little package if you like the Chrome browser....I am a diehard Firefox user for many years and always keep my guards up while online.
Thank you very much for your research and accuracy in your articles...always a pleasure to read your thoughts.

OOps! Always run FF as the default browser. Had problems for a couple YEARS on my desktop. Downloaded adwcleaner malware remover and ran it. Run it anytime I believe there's a problem. Always finds something in FF temp file. Don't use IE8 or update it. It's unusual if anything is found in Chrome. And I don't browse p**n. Laptop remains clean. Installed Comodo firewall on it a couple weeks ago. Still evaluating it.

I would never depend on my browser to keep me protected from malicious sites. Firefox has been fine for me. I use McAfee Site Advisor that works very good about warning me if a site is suspicious. Having Avast installed also helps protect my PC. It has stepped in and stopped certain websites from loading.

Don't like Chrome--it's too intrusive. Just use what browser you like best and chose additional protection (free). A little research goes a long way. Great article, BTW!

I partially agree with your assessment. Comodo Dragon has the power of Chrome (Open Source Chromium), but is much lighter on the system than Google Chrome, and has more security features. I am rather surprised you didn't mention this.
Furthermore, for the Fox Freaks, Comodo offers their version of FireFox and, again, it is lighter on system resources.
Check them out.

I echo all the compliments given in these posts.

I have been a long-time follower of yours, going back to the days of "tourbus." Because of you, I've advanced from a completely ignorant computer neophyte to a neophyte, as this article has demonstrated to me again. Things I just don't fully understand, you bring to my attention. And,I just keep on learning.

Your articles are always a delight to read. Thank you for taking the time out of your to continue to produce them for us.

Most anti-virus software will also block any attempts to open an unsafe website.

All I can say is WOW!
I have been using Firefox under the assumption that it was safer than IE.
Boy was I wrong.
I think it's time to move all of my bookmarks and favorites over from Firefox to IE and start using it instead.

I would be very careful not to make the knee-jerk decision that based on the numbers below IE is some 10 times safer than Firefox etc.

What were those threats that were not found and how severe were they? How prevalent were those threats - how likely are you to run into them in reality?

As others have pointed out - there are plenty of addon programs that could and should be used to support any browser - and none of this makes any difference if the user is determined to circumvent the protection offered.

I find the article mildly interesting but it will not change my usage of Firefox as my primary browser.