Just how bad "is" Netscape?

I was shocked to learn today in another forum that there are a number of security issues with the latest Netscape suite. In fact, I was advised in yet a second forum to either go with Mozilla or download the lastest version of Firefox. Well... I know that Netscape's days are probably numbered and I didn't want to just dump it, but I do a fair amount of online business transactions and I can't afford to be sentimental over an insecure browser. Advice? Please.

 

DUMP IT, and go with Mozilla. That's what I did and I am very satisfied.

 

James,

Check out these two threads:

Security Vulnerabilities:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=35189
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=36523


Firefox 1.0 RC 1 has the tabbed browsing vulnerability fixed, so you might even think about switching to Firefox... Here is the link for the Changelog, which lists the 250 bug fixes in the Release Candidate:
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/firefox/qa/changelog-rc1.html

Ramona

 

Okay... *sigh*... I'm very, very unhappy. I LOVE Netscape (I always have loved this browser) but I've uninstalled it for now (although the exe is still in my downloads folder). I've installed the RC for Firefox so I guess I'm secure now.

I know that the Mozilla suite is more or less Netscape BUT it is NOT the true Netscape. I liked Netscape's tool bar... I liked Netscape's throbber for crying out loud... I even liked its splash screen. Mozilla seems clunky in comparison.

Do you think AOL will come out with security fixes so that we can re-install Netscape and feel safe in using it as our default browser?

 

James,

We'll never be completely secure as long as the sick puppies out there keep plaguing us with all these hacks, trojans, worms, viruses, etc.

Netscape is Mozilla. The only difference is that AOL has added the ability to access AOL Webmail via Netscape Mail & Newsgroups, and NIM (Netscape Instant Messaging). Oh yes, those lovely AOL icons that get scattered everywhere!

You want the Netscape throbber? Place this code in your userChrome.css file, located in the chrome folder. The chrome folder that is a subfolder of the *.slt (salted) folder.
< path >\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\profilename\*.slt\chrome

If you don't have a user.Chrome.css file, then copy the below code to Notepad. Save the file as userChrome.css, to the *.slt folder:

Code:

/* Use Netscape throbber in Firefox */
#navigator-throbber {
list-style-image : url( "throbber-single.gif ") !important;
}

#navigator-throbber[busy= "true"] {
list-style-image : url( "throbber-anim.gif ") !important;
}

#navigator-throbber[toolbarmode= "small"] {
list-style-image : url( "throbber16-single.gif ") !important;
}

#navigator-throbber[busy= "true"][toolbarmode= "small"] {
list-style-image : url( "throbber16-anim.gif ") !important;
}

Note: there are four gif files listed. Go to the below site, download the four gif files to the chrome folder which is a subfolder of the *.slt folder. They must reside in the same folder as the userChrome.css file:

Throbber images from laszlo.
http://mitglied.lycos.de/dandracom/images/


Ramona

 

Ramona, Ramona, Ramona!

You are really something. An extremely knowledgeable and patient person who always has the right answer. But you must know by now that I'm a coward and would be afraid to mess about with code. Anyway, I'll content myself with Firefox and see if I can learn to love it like I did Netscape. Thanks for your help, Ramona.

 

Well... for the sake of it I've played with Mozilla 1.7.3 today and I must admit to absolutely hating it. It is not as polished as Netscape, has no Home button on the tool bar, lacks many, many plug-ins whereas Netscape came complete with them.... it just is not a finished browser suite. I'm dumping it as soon as I finish this message.

I'm assuming that the vulnerabilities reported earlier in Netscape 7.2 are not yet patched... correct? Or is there a patch that can be downloaded? If not... then I'm downloading Opera (I had it once before) and giving it another go round. I'll use Firefox from time to time and live in hopes that AOL will come out with the promised January update of Netscape. Until then... RATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

James,
I have been saying this before, and, I will keep saying. To be be vulnerable does not mean that you are underattack.
To me a vulnerability tells me that I should stop doing certain things. Many vulnerabilities are irrelevant to most people, anyway. And, this is to be taken under consideration when vulnerabilities are considered. These programs have been under scrutiny, since there have been attempts to go after the Evil one, and recapture market share. The vulnerabilities existed before, except that no one knew or cared about them. There are vulnerabilities in Netscape7.2, and also Mozilla1.7.3 which only one of the potential problems.
In all honesty, there is only one safe way to deal with vulnerabilities. Shutdown your computer. Less extreme, work offline, and do not use Windows.

 

A pleasant day to you, Westside

I understand (and have understood all along) what you are saying. To shut down the computer.. to even work offline and not use Windows, is a really not the answer and we both know that so there's no point in even using this extreme... even to make a point.

I believe that while vulnerabilities exist in all manner of life and in all manner of communication, it is still prudent to take what measures (reasonable measures, that is) to eliminate as many as possible to lower the risk. Thus when I hear that there are vulnerabilities in Windows and I understand that MS has taken what steps it can to eliminate as many of these as is feasible, I go to their site to download the patches/upgrades. When I hear that Netscape 7.2 has some rather serious vulnerabilities and that AOL has NOT made any attempts to offer patches and/or updates, I do the only thing that makes sense to me... I uninstall that brower suite and use another that is LESS vulnerable (i.e. Firefox). While I appreciate the fact that the Mozilla suite is the true successor for the Netscape suite (and not Firefox/Thunderbird) I don't happen to like it. I mentioned a few reasons (personal likes and dislikes) for my lack of interest in running it. In all probability, I'll stay with Firefox/Thunderbird and toy around with Opera UNLESS AOL decides to update Netscape.

 

I just don't think that Netscape7.2 is bad. I don't know what to think about AOL. I do't think that there is much of an investment in adapting a more secure Mozilla to a Netscape. I guess that they can't just let anybody pick up the name , but they don't care.
Your dislike of the Mozilla suite is unjustified. You can get anything which is in Netscape, by visiting the appropriate Extention rooms. As for the plugins, all that the activeX plugins are compatible with netscape's.
There is only one difference. You cannot set up Netscape Webmail in Mozilla mail. And, do you think that it is worth while?
Honestly, I would have given up on Netscape long ago, if it was not for the many people who still use the beasts.

 

Well, Westside, I beg to differ (but not offensively, mind you). My dislike of Mozilla is justified if I say it is. That's my opinion, Westside, and I'm sticking with it. You say I can get anything which is in Netscape by visiting the Extension rooms, right? Can I get the Netscape tool bar? Can I get the Netscape webmail?

I like the way Netscape comes... all set up for me without my having to get this plug-in and that extension. I like the fact that it has the home button already on the toolbar without my having to go and find it and figure out how to install it. I prefer having the Netscape tool bar to provide quick updates on weather and news without having to find an extension that will do this. I like the familiar throbber and splash screen (see... I'm a real die-hard Netscaper) without having to hunt for code and insert it. These are a few of the reasons I prefer Netscape.

Now... the problem is AOL and its apparent bi-polar attitude towards the browser suite. Why it updated it last summer and then left it to languish is beyond me. I believe they have a moral obligation to update it security-wise and that is why Netscape remains in my "unused" folder for the time being.

Anyway, I'll continue to use Firefox/Thunderbird (which I'm learning to like) and not diss Mozilla (I just want nothing to do with it). No hard feelings, I hope.

 

Hey, Westside

I think my last reply was a bit harsh. Sorry. Let's just chalk it up to my being ticked that AOL has messed with Netscape in a most ungracious manner. Tell you what: I'll let you have the last word on the subject (if you want).

 

@Westside,

I for one happen to agree with James. Your claim that our dislike of Mozilla and/or Firefox are unjustified. You can't make that claim. If I don't like it, I don't like it... period. It's a matter of our personal opinions. Your statement "your dislike is unjustified" will never change our opinion. Right or wrong, the only person I have to justify my opinion to is myself, therefore your statement that our dislike is unjustified is wrong.

I personally HATE both Mozilla and FireFox. They are clumsy clunky browsers that look horrible. If I don't like the interface, I don't like the entire product. End of story.

I personally LOVE Netscape 7.2 and have primarily switched my primary browsing habbits from M$IE to Netscape 7.2. I don't fear any of the "vulnerabilities" that may or may not be present. The browser is still more secure, faster, and better than anything M$ can throw at it.

@James,

As far as your Opera is concerned... you can keep that steaming pile... That is the last thing I would ever want to put on my computer.

I'm surprised that I even like Netscape 7.2 at all to be honest. My personal abhorrent destain for AOL is burried deep within and prevents me from supporting AOL in any way shape or form. Yet, somehow... I continue to use Netscape 7.2. I'm quite honestly surprised that AOL hasn't royally ******* up this browser yet.

I'm also surprised that AOL hasn't redisgned their software to run on the Netscape browser platform. They own the browser, yet they continue to pay M$ for integrating M$IE into their software... how smart is that?

-ChadOx

 

Yesssssssssssssss!!!!!! Another Netscape lover! I have to tell you... I had Opera 7.6 Preview 2 on my box tonight for all of two hours and I dumped it as unceremoniously as I dumped 7.54 and 7.23. They're clumsy in comparison to Netscape and you have to be a major GEEK to configure it whereas Netscape is intuitively easy and stylish to boot. Geeze.... I wish I could re-install it but Ramona's warning has clipped my wings. I do a fair number of business transactions online and I can't afford the risk of being hacked. I have a router... a software firewall and a great AV program which updates daily (sometimes twice a day). I try to take every safety precaution I can think of (that is within reason, of course... for example, I'm not about to turn off the computer of compose my email off-line and then quickly connect to Send it, as Westside suggested [with tongue in cheek, I hope]). So, now that it's been revealed that there exist vulnerabilities within the Netscape browser, I have to take these steps to minimize the risk to me, as slight as that might be. Hence, I'm using Firefox/Thunderbird's latest incarnations until AOL comes out with its hinted upgrade in January.

Hey... thanks for the support. We know what we like and we shouldn't have to justify it to anyone. BUT I also don't want to be a pain in the behind to anyone so, Westside... just chalk it up to our liking something that you don't happen to care about as deeply.

 

Okay, I am a bit late on this thread.

No single browser can be 100% safe, if you also want those modem features. Netscape 7.2 is not that dangerous at all. Although there are some vulnerabilities in Netscape 7.2, there are still many ways to prevent your computer and data. The simplest thing is be careful when you surf, and click any link with any browser.

Antony

 

I was a Netscape lover for probably many more years than any of you in this thread(I started with v.2). When I heard that AOL was going to dump it, I switched to Mozilla and never regretted it. Eventually the Netscape diehards will have to switch to Mozilla because it is just a matter of time before AOL really dumps it because Mozilla duplicates all of the Netscape features, and is better and safer. Better to switch now rather than having to do it quickly when you don't have time to ponder the switch. But stubborn people have to learn by (sometimes) a bitter experience which ends up wasting an enormous amount of their time. Good luck to all of you!

 

I just read 90% of the replies here. I've been using NS7.0 ever since it same out. Never any trouble. Love it. Don't know what I'm missing by not having 7.2,
other than all the problems I read about here.
Joe R.

 

How to adapt?

Okay... I'm willing to re-address this issue, ackerberg... just bear with me.

1. I'm assuming Mozilla does not have an equivalent of the Netscape toolbar. Right? If so, I'd love to have it. If not... well... I can live without it.

2. I would like the Home button on the main toolbar. I've downloaded the file from an extension page but it will not install. Any ideas why not?

3. I'm assuming we cannot get an equivalent Mozilla webmail to open from our main mail account, right? Well.. again... if so, please tell me how. If not, again... I'll learn to live without it (i.e. Yahoo mail or MSN mail or whatever).

I must admit to preferring tighter integration rather than what I see with Firefox and Thunderbird. They're fine, of course, but I like Netscape so Mozilla would be much more preferrable. I'll re-install it and play around for a few days. I hope you can assist me with the above.

 

If you use, exactly, 7.0 (I mean not 7.01 or 7.02) you do not have built-in popup control, nor Junk mail controls(Spam control).

 

James,
http://extensionroom.mozdev.org/more-info/homebutton
Is that the place which you tried to install from? You have to enable software installation, of course. and, you should see a dialog indicating that you are doing an installation. This has been very straight forward, and I have had the button in all my Netscapes.

As for the Netscape toolbar, it has, IMHO, no redeeming social values. What do you like about it? The toolbar was created by AOL to be used in Internet Explorer, as an alternative to the AOL toolbar. But it is redundant in Netscape. There is the very nice google toolbar available for Mozilla.
Not sure what you mean by Mozilla webmail and main account.
I have Yahoo free mail, and Yahoo will jump all over me if I try to set up its mail in Mozila or Netscape mail, but if you pay for it, you can set it up as a POP account. I don't know about MSN. Netscape6/7 are the only Mail Clients which allow you to set up a @netscape.net as an IMAP account.
Otherwise, Mozilla, Netscape and Thunderbird mail are the same.