Hyperlinks and browser app selection

I use the Netscape 7.2 suite almost exclusively (nice to see they're cutting out the email and address book functionality from their upgrades - grrrr). I am quite loathe to use IE in any instance due to the myriad of potential security problems. Recently I switched broadband providers (to Cox) and the installation software introduced a lot of automatic browser selection into my OS. By that I mean that when I click on a hyperlink in, say, MS Word, it will automatically load the IE app even though I've made explicit to the OS that IE is not my default browser. I'm assuming this is tied specifically to the Cox software because IE cheerfully reminds me over and over again in the upper corner that it's being brought to me by Cox (couldn't have said it better myself).

Normally I wouldn't be that bent out of shape about it, but in an effort to avoid the security pitfalls associated with autologins and password helpers, I keep my login info in secured docs so as to add extra manual steps to the login process for sensitive sites (think credit cards). I am therefore reluctant to continue to allow my OS to force me to use IE whenever I want to manage my finances.

So....long way to a short question: how do I get these links to just open up in my Netscape browser? Even better, how do I get the Cox software off my machine? It should be noted that I have since switched carriers again (I've been moving a lot) and therefore no longer use Cox broadband. Any help would be most appreciated.

His Tomness

 

I'm moving this to the Netscape section. More likely to get good advice there. Your OS and IE versions would be useful.

 

OS is Windows XP home

IE is version 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158

 

I have had Cox broadband, and I would not trade it for anything. I get to do what I want, and if want to play with IE, it ok for me. I had a long chat with a local tech man who is a firefox person, and feels like I do. Unfortunately, with the large of the market in IE, there is no way that many tech people be even aware of the various manifestations of the gecko engine.
Given my sales pitch, I am not sure what Cox software you have. There was something like that which placed their icon in IE, but that was long ago. There was @home software which was based on IE, and presented by Cox, but this was well over three years ago. The software could be uninstalled from the Add/Remove by just signing up to the Cox solo, and I never any sign of Cox in IE. But, if the objection is there, it should be possible to get a fresh version of IE. I don't know how to do it, but I guess that it should be doable from the Add/Remove.
It is best if you have some program which handles words files, such as OpenOffice, select PEdit|Preferences|Helper Applications and Edit: Mime type: application/msword
extention: .doc
Open with default application, or in my case the path to openoffice.exe
Some application or even websites are hard-coded to open in IE, and there is not much that you can do about it.
Anything connected with banks needs to allow https in the the prefs|Advanced system
Although, initially, banks did not accept Netscape, it has not been a problem for long time. In fact at least one bank warns the user against using IE.
Finally, NS7.2 is the last suite. AOL owns Netscape, and they chose to develop NS8.x based on Firefox, or IE, both browser only. I am using Thunderbird, as default mail client.
Nobody is forcing to use Netscape, although you may be used to it. I am not crazy about that mongrel 8.x, but I go in that direction with Firefox. That's when I find out the site to avoid, because they still stick to IE.

If you have problems with Cox, let me know the name of the applications, and I can help you removing them. I am a Cox subscriber, and don't have such beasts.