Internet Explorer (IE) is the web browser that comes with Windows and is the way most of us view the Internet. But it is NOT the best, safest or only way to surf.

Most web pages contain more than just text. To help your web browser display them (as the designer intended) the web site downloads program code to your PC. This is normal.

With IE, this program code is called Active-X and it really means a fully fledged Windows program. It only works on Windows. The problem is that these Active-X programs can do ANYTHING (show video, play music, erase your hard drive, install viruses, change your settings...).

With other web browsers, this program code is Java, which works on many different types of computers (Windows, Mac, Unix, Linux, Sun, mobile phones, etc). The cool thing about Java is that it runs in a sandbox, a play area isolated from the operating system (Windows). So Java finds it a lot harder to make mischief and trash your computer.

Active-X is like getting Hitler’s brain transplanted into your head, the evil is inside you and has full control. Java is like reading a book on bomb making, you can choose to follow the instructions, or you can think better of it and ignore them.

There’s lots of other glaring security problems with IE. And Microsoft’s approach to security is to ask the user - “To view this web site you need to install this Active-X component, click here to install” well of course everyone clicks here because you wouldn’t have gone to the web site if you didn’t want to view it! How are you supposed to know if the Active-X is safe or malicious?

So stop using IE and check out Firefox (or Opera or Safari). Your surfing will be safer and you will find they work better too! Of course, you will find the odd web site that insists on IE, and if that’s your bank or someone you trust, IE will always be there, because you can’t remove it from Windows.

I changed to Firefox about a year ago and I love it.