The Grass Is Always Greener...

You know the old phrase: "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"? It applies to computer security as well. In this case it applies to web browsers in particular. With significant unpatched security holes found in Internet Explorer recently many security experts have recommended simply switching to a non-Microsoft web browser. I don't mean to disparage any of the other web browsers nor downplay the significance of the security flaws that continue to pop up in Internet Explorer, however I continue to caution users not to fall for the "all things not Microsoft are inherently secure" mantra. A 6-year old flaw was recently discovered (Secunia Advisory 11978: Multiple Browsers Frame Injection Vulnerability) affecting a wide range of non-Microsoft web browsers including versions of Netscape, Opera and Mozilla which would allow an attacker to spoof a web site. So, feel free to try non-Microsoft web browsers, but don't make the mistake of assuming that doing so makes you secure in and of itself. You still must take responsibility for staying aware of the vulnerabilities and exploits that affect your system and taking the appropriate measures to protect against them.