Security - IE, Netscape, or Opera?

I have IE 6 but seldom use it. I use Mozilla Firebird for surfing but recently started online banking and it's not accepted. IE 6 is one of their options but I read so much about identity theft, etc. Which browser is more secure?

 

In general, the more 'features' a browser supports, the less secure it will be since each feature is also a potential hole to exploit.

In general, the browser with the largest market share will be the fatest target and will have more folks trying to do bad things to and with it.

Over the years I've used IE, Netscape, Opera, and several others that have since vanished. But it got too confusing and since I have to support IE, I just use it these days.

I do use appropriate safeguards and the tightest security settings that are consistant with it being easy for me to use. Works well.

Spybot (anti-spyware app) has a section for locking down your browser. You can set it so no change of home page is possible by you are anyone/anything else. Simple to unset the option for a bit if you need to make a change. The app also helps keep spyware off your PC which helps prevent problems. Ad-aware has fewer other features but can be a better spyware/malware remover than Spybot so I run both.

Firewall (good one that deals with inbound & outbound and does stateful inspection) is also a great thing to have. Blocks lots of exploit attempts.

Current AV protection sorta completes the package.

If you take precautions, you can probably run the browser of your choice and not have problems. However, Roxio's GoBack at $20 US is a good investment since if something bad does happen, you can reboot and 'Go Back' to a time before the bad thing happened and in essence make it unhappen.

 

Thanks for your opinion. I am feeling rather paranoid these days as seems there are several attempts to hack my PC. I use ZA Pro and the IP addys it blocks are kinda scary - just tonight one from Brazil and one from Asia. I realize ZA is doing its job but what if a "what if" happens and someone gets my bank account, etc? It's bad enough locking doors and windows and an alarm system on the house, along with a car alarm system. The Net used to be fun and games and now I need so many layers of protection it's sad.

 

Further to layered security you may wish to see what Java cool software have to protect Browser hi-jacks and soyware from being installed on your PC in the first place.

I have Spyware Guard / Spyware Blaster and MRU Blaster and run both Ad-aware & Spybot just to make totally sure but to date they have not found anything JavaCool Software

If you do use IE at some time then there is also a run once reg.key IESpyad which will place sites in your Restricted zones further adding to your security layers.

IESpyad

I have all of these with my AV and Firewall even though I surf as safely as I can.

 

I approach computer security in much the same way as home & auto security.

Fact: an expert thief who is determined to break into your house our steal your auto can do so.

But: Locks, alarms, bars, whatever will keep an amature out and will make an expert thief look for easier targets unless you are storing the crown jewels at home or something. After all, there are still folks who leave their auto unlocked and even some who will leave keys in the ignitioni.

Fact: and expert hacker who is determined to break into your PC (assuming you have internet access or he has physical access) can do so.

But: AV, firewalls, and other reasonable precautions will keep an amature out and will make an expert look for an easier target. After all, there are lots of users who don't use AV, firewall, or any other protections and usually have their settings wide open. So unless your bank account is really huge, you probably aren't worth the expert's effort.