Symantec: Mozilla browsers more vulnerable than IE

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NAV & McAfee have been disappointing as of late: Had to perform some rescue operations for some friends & relatives as of late. They are generally "power" or even "tech savvy" users, but they do try to exercise caution whenever they have to surf, e-mail or download/ install. Some had Norton SystemWorks, some had McAfee Internet Security Suite. So in short, both had a software firewall (supplanting the XP SP2 firewall) and a valid antivirus product, with antispyware and antispam capabilities to boot.

Yet, these poor souls still got infected w/ all sorts of nonsense, to the point where they could not update their software (despite having valid subscriptions for updates). Had to use TrendMicro's free online scanner via safe mode w/ networking to bring the system back to an operational state when booted into normal mode. After that, I promptly installed any applicable updates for NAV or McAfee and ran another scan (for all sorts of infections), but could not find anything major.

Followed up by installing Spybot & AdAware - found & removed many stragglers. Have to admit, the installed "security" suites were disappointing.

Have since persuaded most of these users to use FireFox or another Mozilla based browser. I've received less distress calls as of late.

IMHO - MSIE is the $lut of the Internet. It just "opens up" for "easy access" 24/7. It can not be considered as a wh0r3 as wh0r3s actually get something back in return. $lut$ just get infected, used and abused.

As for myself, I use the following free products and have been squeaky clean in comparison:

ZoneAlarm - free personal firewall
AVG v7 - free antivirus
Mozilla Suite 1.7x - free browser/ e-mail & chat client
Spybot & AdAware - free ad/ mal/ spyware scanners

Now you tell me who's getting their money's worth...; Posted by: sctang73@... Posted on: 09/20/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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Here's the Important Part coffeenite | 09/19/05

This is a stupid article anyway IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

exactly..like anyone worht anything takes Symantec seriously anymore Jeff Spicoli | 09/19/05

We Are Much Better Off Getting Advice From YOU? PMC-CON | 09/19/05

no, mindless twits like you should keep listening to Microsoft and Symantec Jeff Spicoli | 09/19/05

Mindless twits aye? golowenow | 09/19/05

Aye aye matey! Jeff Spicoli | 09/19/05

McAfee is free on Comcast golowenow | 09/20/05

I NEVER get nothing YaBaby | 09/21/05

PMC-CON brian ansorge | 09/20/05

symantec has been the target for some viruses lately... linuxoverwindows | 09/19/05

NAV & McAfee have been disappointing as of late sctang73@... | 09/20/05

doesn't matter either way al881 | 09/20/05

It's been a long time, too Update victim | 09/20/05

BS? D-Ram | 09/20/05

Norton was great - Symantic SUCKS! The Computer Pimp | 09/20/05

Very Laughable NAV Sucks IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

...and your posting is idiotic cicuta | 09/20/05

Learning to read should be your priority IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

and learning to write should be yours cicuta | 09/22/05

And minding your own business should be yours IceTheNet@... | 09/23/05

19 to 3 jim@... | 09/19/05

finish the line... linuxoverwindows | 09/19/05

This report is a joke!! FreeBSD | 09/20/05

Symantec and Microsoft are joined at the hip RobertoSalazar | 09/19/05

SYM + MS rickearley | 09/19/05

Join at the hip ooooh yeah bcbooks | 09/20/05

And where is the Linux version of Symantec? johnlb2002 | 09/20/05

Sure! They make billions out of 'securing' IE why would they like michael_t | 09/19/05

All that says I_am_hellion_z | 09/19/05

fact or fiction voska | 09/21/05

and.. D-Ram | 09/20/05

so what? at least IE is not only browers anymore M_c | 09/19/05

they have b_ruce | 09/19/05

Except... thetargos | 09/20/05

In hindsight IT_User | 09/19/05

Well IT Scion | 09/20/05

Agreed and Sheeva | 09/21/05

Another Thing RobertoSalazar | 09/19/05

Another thing redacted cdgoldin | 09/19/05

IE vs FF "reality" cgraham_z | 09/19/05

would you rather ff tell everyone how to hack you IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Symantec...The Standard of Non-Credibility slingzenarrowzuvowtrayjissforchin | 09/19/05

Transparent attempt to safeguard their source of income michael_t | 09/19/05

Actually, FireFox is based on very mature code ... OldFossil | 09/19/05

How old is the Gecko engine? michael_t | 09/19/05

There amounts of time for their rendering engines are that different IT Scion | 09/20/05

Not really michael_t | 09/20/05

yes really IT Scion | 09/20/05

Mature or old and feeble? cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Learn, then talk radicaldude | 09/19/05

Why did you miss this? michael_t | 09/19/05

Prove It node357 | 09/19/05

Incorrect Information!! xjahn | 09/19/05

Your logic sucks NonZealot | 09/19/05

your "logic" didn't take us any further Jeff Spicoli | 09/19/05

Your logic is ... impeccable... Kudos. michael_t | 09/19/05

Well, I'm no Einstein! NonZealot | 09/19/05

dude, you TOTALLY invalidated yourself Jeff Spicoli | 09/19/05

Your not quite getting it richardthegreat | 09/20/05

Logic very flawed AmusedAtItAll | 09/20/05

You would be voska | 09/21/05

Nice rant IT Scion | 09/20/05

Shut up and get back to work or get a life Jeff the god of biscuits | 09/20/05

I agree djc1309@... | 09/20/05

Here's a fact for you ... I_am_hellion_z | 09/19/05

wrong Jeff Spicoli | 09/19/05

Where is the fact? The "better moustrap"? michael_t | 09/19/05

Fact is, its vulnerable and therefore insecure. darreno1 | 09/19/05

Re: Fact is, its vulnerable and therefore insecure. nightshade0143 | 09/20/05

As FF gains market share the attacks will increase.. darreno1 | 09/20/05

well you forgot about repair ratio. IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

It also depends on your OS Chad_z | 09/20/05

And the beat goes on ... OldFossil | 09/19/05

These type of stats won't matter until Real World | 09/19/05

oops Real World | 09/19/05

I respectfully disagree ... OldFossil | 09/19/05

I'm not saying Real World | 09/19/05

Can't say I've ever heard that voska | 09/19/05

It wasn't in the Real World | 09/20/05

Exactly why I don't let my family ebrke | 09/20/05

MOZILLA VS. IE mesmd | 09/19/05

HYPE VS. REALITY cdgoldin | 09/19/05

First thing you said that makes any sense IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

Exactly IT Scion | 09/20/05

Better than Opera's?? Not in thousand years! markbn | 09/20/05

opera is a good browser but IceTheNet@... | 09/23/05

RE: opera is a good browser but markbn | 09/24/05

your confused IceTheNet@... | 09/24/05

RE: your (sic) confused markbn | 09/25/05

Spelling realoldnavyretired | 09/21/05

Doubletalk from Symantec dhryder | 09/19/05

So True.... EBathory | 09/19/05

At least one has come true node357 | 09/19/05

Most end up WIN PC anyway rock06r | 09/20/05

Only time will tell who will rein supreme liqour43@... | 09/19/05

Quality vs. Bottom Line talontamer | 09/19/05

AV is a community responsibility node357 | 09/19/05

so you would be ok infecting everyone else? rock06r | 09/20/05

Faulty Comparison dl@... | 09/19/05

Firefox is based on older software mnordhoff | 09/20/05

RE: Faulty Comparison HerbieHightower | 09/20/05

Ummm IT Scion | 09/20/05

For total computer safety.... Shutterbug | 09/19/05

RE For total computer safety.... OmarZewddie | 09/20/05

Most of you are in denial balsover | 09/19/05

True, but..... todbran@... | 09/19/05

You are dreaming balsover | 09/19/05

Good luck... PeregrineFalcon | 09/19/05

Do those exploits... balsover | 09/19/05

Locked Down Users PMC-CON | 09/19/05

Disable ActiveX.... todbran@... | 09/19/05

You are ignorant. balsover | 09/19/05

BTW Flash is ActiveX If You Let It Be ... (nt) PMC-CON | 09/19/05

Then it is a problem. nt balsover | 09/19/05

Not exactly. enduser_z | 09/19/05

then do not run that page balsover | 09/19/05

You'd be able to run the page.. TheSickEmpire | 09/19/05

You sure can voska | 09/19/05

most of the flashy sites these days balsover | 09/19/05

Turning off ActiveX is not needed. IT Scion | 09/21/05

ActiveX IT Scion | 09/20/05

Right right .... Mozilla developers are in denial michael_t | 09/19/05

Actually I said that you were in denial balsover | 09/19/05

So true. darreno1 | 09/19/05

Says The Guy Who Never Used FF nikoli | 09/20/05

Let me tell you.... todbran@... | 09/19/05

You are aware Real World | 09/19/05

Also... toadlife | 09/19/05

Duhhhh todbran@... | 09/19/05

See response above... PeregrineFalcon | 09/19/05

How do you stop the popups? enduser_z | 09/19/05

USE FF IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Hardly anyone complains. Real World | 09/20/05

of course they would loose their job IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

Where to begin Real World | 09/20/05

typos IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

People who don't understand security... Sxooter_z | 09/19/05

Then There's The Other Method... slingzenarrowzuvowtrayjissforchin | 09/19/05

and a 3rd method IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Nonsense! cdgoldin | 09/19/05

OK Here We Go! IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Yes, please do go on cdgoldin | 09/19/05

OK well I see there is no ignorance in your family IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Place them where you want IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

I had Norton and McCaffee s_gamgee | 09/21/05

Huray IceTheNet@... | 09/23/05

Go get em! golowenow | 09/19/05

Oooooooooooo-kay Henaway | 09/19/05

Active x? Plugins? What the dif?? golowenow | 09/19/05

You should be fired IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Message has been deleted. balsover | 09/19/05

Message has been deleted. IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

well they deleted a good message IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Apparently overweight and illiterate as well... Scrat | 09/20/05

Oh please... itanal | 09/20/05

Message has been deleted. IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

Message has been deleted. RobX2005 | 09/20/05

Message has been deleted. itanal | 09/20/05

ZDnet Scum Bag Editors IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

I was just proving a point that ZDnet Deleted IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

Why not burned at the stake? cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Oops. Make that "TalkBack".. (NT) cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Message has been deleted. IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Unsupported opinion is not fact, no matter how many times you say it is cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Oh I C you can say orifice but not as IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Spelling lesson for you??? livewire^ | 09/21/05

Firefox vulnerabilities Peronthious | 12/07/05

vulnerabilities: 31 for IE vs 28 for Firefox dabruro | 09/19/05

Not the same time frame george_ou | 09/19/05

If those older ones are still Linux Guy 1000 | 09/19/05

That's the funniest explanation I've heard yet... ju1ce | 09/20/05

The bottom line georgep_z | 09/19/05

Ever get tired of idiot fanboys? ThinkAboutIt | 09/19/05

I get tired of idiots period. IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Don't help him out with his spelling. Grayson Peddie | 09/19/05

Yes and as has been Linux Guy 1000 | 09/19/05

Ask and ye shall be informed cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Doesn't really matter IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

JVM Scripts? PMC-CON | 09/20/05

For PCM-CON IceTheNet@... | 09/22/05

99% of the sites I write use JS Jeff the god of biscuits | 09/19/05

I have an idea Linux Guy 1000 | 09/20/05

Amen to that (nt) IT Scion | 09/21/05

Just FYI IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

That's nice an all but.... darreno1 | 09/19/05

True True True IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Don't need IT Scion | 09/21/05

For IT Scion Waa go home to mama!! IceTheNet@... | 09/23/05

Most sites that use DHTML balsover | 09/19/05

Do I have to mention Extentions ONE MORE Time IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

you are not in the position to comment on spelling balsover | 09/19/05

Thank You IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Sloppy work habits are sloppy work habits cdgoldin | 09/19/05

I already corrected you once IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

;-} ThinkAboutIt | 09/19/05

That's funny Linux Guy 1000 | 09/19/05

Syntax error, buddy node357 | 09/19/05

? ThinkAboutIt | 09/19/05

awk balsover | 09/19/05

hate to burst your bubble but IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Returning the favor... ejhonda | 09/20/05

Ever get tired of idiot fanboys? code_flogger | 09/19/05

so it just told me that their was IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Misposted code_flogger | 08/06/06

infact here is your js IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

guess I shut you up IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

I have a default FF install... nikoli | 09/20/05

Yeah... itanal | 09/20/05

Oh Yeah... IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

Nice post, just goes to show.... darreno1 | 09/19/05

That's one way to skew the statistics John L. Ries | 09/19/05

There's more than one skewer in the forum cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Skewing John L. Ries | 09/19/05

Mitchel Baker is not a "he" MarkCarson | 09/19/05

Thank you for the (totally irrelevant) info cdgoldin | 09/19/05

I'm under attack! dataless | 09/19/05

Fair is fair balsover | 09/19/05

I find it rather hard to believe your "story" Linux Guy 1000 | 09/19/05

it doesn't mean anything. balsover | 09/19/05

Bravo! ejhonda | 09/20/05

That was my point Linux Guy 1000 | 09/20/05

They don't listen well node357 | 09/19/05

maybe the answer is no IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Do you really make a living "fixing computers"? Incredible! cdgoldin | 09/19/05

damn dude do I have to tell you everything IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

I have to assume Real World | 09/20/05

why bother dude IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

Re: why bother dude Real World | 09/20/05

Oh please, how big of an idiot can you make yourself look? Scrat | 09/21/05

And while we are on the subject.... Scrat | 09/21/05

Message has been deleted. IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

Message has been deleted. Scrat | 09/22/05

No better than they are lenohere | 09/20/05

Don't waste your money calling tech support Real World | 09/20/05

That would part of it IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

A better metric for software security MildlyAmuzed | 09/19/05

good old fanboy oblivionxyz@... | 09/19/05

Vulnerablity Comparisons gbray@... | 09/19/05

Meaningful statistics cdgoldin | 09/19/05

you see this is why descretioYou see this is why discretion is important ! IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Re: Meaningful Statistics blu_z | 09/20/05

good reasoning but IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

Trust djtriv420@... | 09/19/05

IE is part of XP code vs. Firefox is an app. esale | 09/19/05

Details please. balsover | 09/19/05

try to uninstall IE IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Ie is built into the system... ju1ce | 09/20/05

Interesting stats ... code_flogger | 09/19/05

Hmmm...It figures Krazyken39 | 09/19/05

It doesn't make Firefox any worse than IE balsover | 09/19/05

not really firefox is still a baby IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

LOL LOL LOL! golowenow | 09/19/05

your bass akwards IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

You spelled "brease" wrong. It's "breeze." Grayson Peddie | 09/19/05

ya I saw that IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

You speelled liffe wrong Jeff the god of biscuits | 09/20/05

speeking of loosing IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

Um YOU better take an HTML course dude golowenow | 09/20/05

I program every day of my life IceTheNet@... | 09/21/05

If you do then why not answer your error? golowenow | 09/21/05

You really didn't want to go there so now you pay IceTheNet@... | 09/22/05

Thanks for the recognition golowenow | 09/25/05

Symatec commenting on SECURITY is joke AldoWatts | 09/19/05

Figures never lie... sbarman | 09/19/05

Norton AV Jeffhs | 09/19/05

Norton Virus Magnet cdgoldin | 09/19/05

Awe jeez here we go again Jeff the god of biscuits | 09/19/05

Its Symantec's Legal Obligation to Scare YOU Vassa | 09/19/05

Symantec and MS tyndl | 09/19/05

Ironic shawn777a | 09/19/05

1 question CobraA1 | 09/19/05

again LOL IceTheNet@... | 09/19/05

Looks like... Qbt | 09/20/05

Well Not So Fast There Peter Eater IceTheNet@... | 09/20/05

Maybe we don't want to use IE anymore... Iain D | 10/05/05

Symantec Mozilla more insecure....... Andromedat6 | 09/19/05

Mozilla IE Security Security1A | 09/19/05

Aaahh!! Qbt | 09/19/05

Symantec or Norton reports to rely on? alxnsc@... | 09/19/05

Patch, Patch, Patch BobSchlesinger_z | 09/20/05

So Bob how is that different with IE and MS? Iain D | 10/05/05

Cable News Blueprint TomGab | 09/20/05

Browser War? qix77@... | 09/20/05

Deceptive headline! Reverend MacFellow | 09/20/05

Only 13 for IE? kokuryu | 09/20/05

Thanks Qbt | 09/20/05

How Much did TOM get paid to write this? jakesdad_z | 09/20/05

the M$ media juggernaut strikes again. if they get people to quote their wessonjoe | 09/20/05

Enough BS to last a lifetime slimmac1 | 09/20/05

Oh Come On People john_chodkowski@... | 09/20/05

I Agree With John DOS_is_Boss | 09/20/05

Actually John MildlyAmuzed | 09/20/05

Nail on the head Iain D | 10/05/05

DId you forget... Shadus | 09/20/05

No, but Qbt | 09/20/05

Oh quit the crying already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John Zern | 09/20/05

I don't think anyone sane has said their OS or browser Laff | 09/21/05

conspiracies corticus | 12/27/05

Inappropriate Headline evangelinux | 09/20/05

Yes but Qbt | 09/20/05

Graphs & CVs are dangerous things Iain D | 10/05/05

Not true: Mozilla equals no-activex, not-vbscript. So which is more secure? eduardo.carriles@... | 09/20/05

True dch48 | 09/20/05

MOZILLA BROWZER VULNERABILITY fakir005@... | 09/20/05

Maybe Symantec should make some proof of concept code Boot_Agnostic | 09/20/05

I use the McCafe stand alone...i.e. without AOL degger007 | 09/20/05

Symantec in bed with Microsoft? degger007 | 09/20/05

[gloating] brian ansorge | 09/20/05

Yeah right Jeff the god of biscuits | 09/20/05

OK...let's take you at your word and you don't have Laff | 09/21/05

Is that english? Jeff the god of biscuits | 09/22/05

Thanks for asking.... s_gamgee | 09/21/05

Messege deleted Boot_Agnostic | 09/21/05

Simple! dguith@... | 09/21/05

Symantec & McAfee causes more problems! deadendman1969@... | 09/21/05

Bottom line is that michael_t | 09/21/05

best Browser I've found - Flashpeake Slimbrowser gdempsey1@... | 09/21/05

'splain something to me, please ccrashh2@... | 09/26/05

Nicely Put Iain D | 10/05/05

IE intrusion tested, FF protection tested... alxnsc@... | 11/28/05

I do Firefox for the tabs and the extensions GreatInca | 12/27/05

Symantec - Security experts? deefburger | 12/27/05

What do you think?

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Symantec: Mozilla browsers more vulnerable than IE

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