Internet users should use Mozilla Firefox Houston Slatton ES 210W November 17, 2004.

Internet users should use Mozilla Firefox

Houston Slatton

ES 210W

November 17, 2004

Firefox is far superior toInternet Explorer

• Security

• Usability

• Customizability

• Implementation

Software monocultures are dangerous

• Monoculture = species with little genetic variation7

• Shared flaw can be exploited easily7

Internet Explorer dominates the browser market8

Internet Explorer

Mozilla

Netscape

Safari

Unknown

Firefox is more secure

• Less security holes4

• Open Source advantage– More eyes– Not a black hat target

• No ActiveX or VBscript6

• US-CERT recommends5

Firefox is more usable

• Tabbed browsing6

• Popup blocking6

• Smart update6

• Google search box6

• Download manager6

• Searchable history6

Firefox is customizable

• Themes6

• Extensions6

• Toolbars6

Implementation is easy

• Automatically imports favorites, passwords, bookmarks, and other data from other browsers6

• Looks and feels like Internet Explorer6

• Small download6

• Easy installation6

There are possible objections

• Support

• Learning curve

• Slower than Internet Explorer

• Better options

Internet users should use Firefox

• Security

• Usability

• Customizability

• Easy implementation

Sources

• W3Schools. “Firefox Browser.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_firefox.asp>

• W3Schools. “Browser Statistics.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp>

• Lemos, Robert and Paul Festa. “IE flaw may boost rival browsers.” CNet News. Published June 29 2004. Nov. 2004. <http://asia.cnet.com/news/security/0,39037064,39185013,00.htm>

• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. “Vulnerability Notes by Metric.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/bymetric>

• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. “Vulnerability Note VU#713878.” Published June 9, 2004. Nov. 2004. <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878/>

• Mozilla Foundation. “Firefox – Rediscover the Web.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/>

Sources

• Pope, Justin. “Biology stirs software monoculture debate.” Published Feb. 16 2004. Nov. 2004. “http://www.detnews.com/2004/technology/0402/16/technology-64754.htm”

• “User Agent (Web Browser/Operating System) Statistics.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.doctor-html.com/agent_stats/>