The debate over which Web browser to use stirs opinions as passionate as the eternal question of Coke vs. Pepsi. To aid in your decision, Patrick Nemil from the OIT Help Desk weighs the pros and cons of the up-and-coming Mozilla Firefox and the old standard Microsoft Internet Explorer in a Windows environment.

The biggest positives for using Internet Explorer (IE) are availability and functionality. IE is installed as a part of the Windows operating system and most Web sites are designed to be compatible with it because of its popularity. The negatives are led by the major concern of most Internet users today—security. IE has a track record of having vulnerabilities that hackers exploit, usually installing viruses or spyware on your computer.

The positives of Firefox are many, but most importantly, Firefox does not contain the inherent flaws that make IE a security risk—it has performed in a much more stable way. An added benefit of Firefox is that it allows you to open multiple Web pages and switch between them using tabs in one browser window instead of using multiple browser windows and cluttering your desktop or task bar. The negative of Firefox is that not all Web sites will work with it because some are designed specifically for IE.

Overall, the biggest difference is security, but keep in mind that most hackers focus their efforts on hacking IE because of its popularity—they get the biggest bang that way. Who knows what will happen when Firefox increases in popularity? Also, these two browsers are not your only options. The OIT Help Desk also supports Netscape, Mozilla, and Safari. Remember, no matter which browser you choose, the most important ways to stay secure are to make sure that your system is current by installing updates offered by the software developers, and to be wary of where you go, which links you click on, and what you download.