Users of older versions of Firefox must keep their browsers patched all the time now,just like with the IE. The older versions of the alternate browser, that were largely free of spyware infections, are more and more open to spyware exploits and under fire now, some installs even haxdoor this older browser versions. Want to see it in action? Go here: http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/pssstyou-wanna-see-firefox-exploit-in.html
But updating and patching has become a second nature to those that regularly visit this site, hasn’t it, guys and gals?
More than a year ago, I started warning people at cnet’s forums that FF was not as secure as they thought it was. Most of you have alreay read my “what one person can code, another person can break” in this forum. Most of you have also read my “what becomes popular will become less safe.”
At cnet forums, not even the moderators would listen to me. :
Nobody listened to you, but time was a good listener, and time told you were right there. Well as far as the coding is concerned, larger code projects are made with a lot of fingers in the code (talking as like a good cook-book), but code is not written with security as a first priority. Coders need to be educated this way.
Multilevel protection can do a lot here. Also sensible in-browser protection through add-ons and plug-ins can close the vulnerability window to a minimal jar. It is coming in gradually (ClamWin glue for FF, DrWeb hyperlink-browser, blocking scripts and the baddies, so the browser can not go where the malware vector awaits it, siteadvisor, cache cleaning after every session, browsing in a sandbox. But the education has to go two ways,
coders should code more securely, and users must know where the dangers loom and people that cannot should not be given access to a computer, just like it is with cars, keep them off the world wide web (road)!. Maybe people should be given a surfing license (just my rant, don’t pay any notice).
I do not know if licensing the use of a computer would work. There are way too many licensed drivers who have no business driving a car, truck, etc. >:(
I see your point, though … use of the computer on the internet needs much better education before being allowed to do so.
It is just like you say. Just like it is with a hammer, you can use ithis tool for sculpting a piece of art or for ruination of whatever.
The education has to start with the little toddlers, they should be taught respect for each other’s privacy, access to information only whenever this is granted by others. If they learn to respect each other on the Internet, and are trained to learn security at a young age, we may find a lot of benefits later on in life, also their virtual existence. If you have to learn to ride at a later age, you will never qualify to be the winner of the Tour de France!
Ok, why would anyone use older versions of FireFox? And how the heck do you get spyware these days? I don’t understand. I’ve never gotten spyware in about 2 years and those times was because of using P2P software.
Just stay away from sites that you don’t know. It’s easy as that. My Opinion
I don’t know either, I haven’t gotten spyware for a long time and even then its usually just tracing cookies which get deleted when I empty IE’s cache.
Why does anyone use an older version of any computer program?
It happens all the time everyday. Some people are resistant to change and some people are afraid of making changes because they do not know how. Some poeple like an older version because of reported problems with a newer version and never get around to updating to a newer problem-corrected version because they have forgotten.
Why do computers get infected with spyware or other malware?
It is because there are way too many newbies everyday on the internet and they have no idea what they are doing nor where they are going. Nor do they understand that they need anti-malware programs, av programs, or firewalls. We get users here almost daily that do not even use nor know what a firewall program is. These newbies get infected by the millions daily.
It is not really hard to understand once you really think about it.
