4 Reasons Not To Use Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is the default browser included on every Windows machine, but does that mean it’s the best browser? Of course not, it’s only the default browser because it was developed by the same company that developed Windows, Microsoft. There are plenty of reasons that you should switch over to a browser like Firefox or Chrome, and this article will give you the top 5 reasons why you should not use Internet Explorer.

Security

The simple fact is, Internet Explorer is not nearly as safe as its leading competitors, even if you have the latest patches. These issues go way beyond the scope of this article, however, but you should be forewarned that your credit card may not be safe when making a purchase. The best way to avoid these issues if you’re a Internet Explorer user is to simply use Firefox or Google Chrome for any credit card purchases you need to make.

ActiveX

This could be coupled with the safety issue, but this one is just too big to even lump it with the general safety of the browser. ActiveX allows other people to access your computer for the execution of certain programs. While this sounds nice a perfect world, it simply opens up way to many doors for hackers, malware, spyware and virus leaks to find their way onto your computer. The difference between IE and other browsers is that you don’t even get asked whether you want to download something or not, IE just lets them in.

Web Standards

Web standards were designed for a reason, so that everyone could design one universal code of how things should work and be organized. Microsoft continues to ignore these standards creating chaos for Internet Explorer users. You may design a website that looks perfect in Firefox, Safari, and Chrome but it could have many glaring problems when you try to view it in Internet Explorer. Why are these standards a problem? Internet Explorer makes up over 70% of internet users!

Add-on Support

It’s impossible for a software company to meet the demands of all of its users. This is why many companies allow their users to develop their own Add-ons to boost the efficiency and make their browser more appealing. You may not like the default look of Firefox, but once you use a few Add-ons you may love it, this is what Microsoft is missing out on.

Internet Explorer is not a lost cause, but there is certainly a cause for concern going into the future. If Microsoft hopes to maintain a steady hold over its users it needs to address the above problems. You should consider how these problems affect you, and make the switch to a new browser accordingly.

Photo Credits: dannysullivan

Originally posted 2009-11-04 03:21:54.

This post involves:

chaos, credit card purchases, firefox, glaring problems, google, hackers, internet explorer security, internet explorer user, internet explorer users, internet users, leaks, perfect world, safari, safety issue, simple fact, software company, universal code, web standards, windows machine, windows Microsoft

... and focuses on:

Internet and Email

Posted by How To Computer on December 7, 2011 in Internet and Email. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.