rotas»sator

Everyone uses a web browser of some sort. Most people just use whatever comes with their computer (nearly always Microsoft Internet Explorer). Others have tired of using outdated browser technology that allows hackers and their particular breeds of parasites to roam freely on your PC.

Observant readers may have noticed that I’ve posted on this before.

However, no software is absolutely free of problems. This is especially true of browser software. Even the good ones! Software that is 100% free of bugs (that does anything useful!) simply does not exist. Any claim otherwise is either marketing hype or a straight-out lie.

I was reminded of this by a security advisory from Secunia that outlines some newly-discovered problems with pre-release versions of Firefox. Not as serious as some problems, but still noteworthy.

Note: Pre-release versions, such as the one mentioned above, are made available so that bugs can be fixed before the full-fledged release of the software.

It is essential to keep your software up to date so that any such security problems are eliminated. In the case above, the current version of Firefox had already addressed the issues.

For those still using Internet Explorer and Windows XP, make sure you update to Service Pack 2 and more recent updates.

For those whose PCs run on other Windows versions (2000, NT, ME, 98, etc), Microsoft has announced that it will not release any more updates for your browser software. So I guess you’re on your own after you’ve applied all available updates. Quite an effective way for Microsoft to force people to upgrade their operating system to Windows XP…

For anyone still clinging to Internet Explorer on any operating system, I advise you to seriously consider upgrading to a superior browser.

If there are any smug Linux bods out there, don’t think that your operating system of choice is free of bugs. Unfortunately, Linux users are always on their own.

Mac users fare pretty well but are not without problems. This is pretty much as is to be expected from a brand new operating system. May also have something to do with Apple’s “market penetration” and totalitarian grip on their software and hardware.

In short, you need to keep your software up to date. Since web browsers are particularly vulnerable, they require special attention.

Blessings, Steve

[Listening to John Scofield, A Go Go — Hottentot]