Compliancy and Security issues with Web Browsers

Recommendations

The aim of IT Workshop designed sites are that the content should be available to any browser correctly implementing W3 standards. For their own security and surfing pleasure, we strongly recommend users of Microsoft Internet Explorer should consider using a different browser. We recommend Firefox.

Reasons why you should change today!

1. Microsoft Internet Explorer has numerous security holes. Such security lapses with IE have been so bad that a number of security organisations such as CERT (the Computer Emergency Readiness Team, US Department of Homeland Security), "Microsoft Internet Explorer does not adequetely validate the security [of websites]...An attacker could exploit this vulnerability". The UK's NISCC (National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre) and others have issued warnings (See BBC News release: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4440161.stm)

2. Microsoft Internet Explorer has a blatant disregard for Web Standards. As a result the information may not be displayed correctly. Standards exist because the internet is a global phenomena and help enable someone surfing the internet in Canada to see the same web layout as that in France or Thailand (language variations excepted!). Without standards, designers would have to provide a multitude of pages for different browser types. Both HTML and CSS.

3. Microsoft IE is now an outdated product. Many of its faults have not been fixed and Microsoft have hinted only at maintaining V6.0. In 2006, Microsoft intend to release 'Longhorn' onto the world. Microsoft IE is now over 10 years old and other browsers such as Mozilla have come a long way since then.

4. Microsoft has responded to insecurity by providing updates and patches. Internet Explorer's security has therefore improved significantly. Some say this means that IE is therefore far more secure than other browswers.

Thanks to the following sources for this information: www.geekgirls.com/net_ditch_ie.htm "Five reasons to ditch Internet Explorer"

The alternatives (Windows/Generic)

• Ant Fresco
• Avant Browser
• Crazy Browser
• Deepnet explorer
• Flock
• IceCat (formely known as IceWeasel)
• Konqueror
• Mozilla Firefox
• Maxthon
• Netscape
• Opera
• Mozilla now defaults to Firefox/Seamonkey
• Seamonkey

Apple Macs

• Camino
• Classilla
• Shirra
• Sunrise

For a comprehensive list of mac browsers visit: www.pure-mac.com/webb.html

RISC OS

• Net Surf for RISC OS
• Oregano2

Linux i686

• Beonex Communicator
• Cheetah
• K-Meleon