Internet users should use Mozilla Firefox

Houston Slatton

ES 210W

November 17, 2004

Firefox is far superior toInternet Explorer

• Security

• Usability

• Customizability

• Implementation

Software monocultures are dangerous

• Monoculture = species with little genetic variation7

• Shared flaw can be exploited easily7

Internet Explorer dominates the browser market8

Internet Explorer

Mozilla

Netscape

Safari

Unknown

Firefox is more secure

• Less security holes4

• Open Source advantage– More eyes– Not a black hat target

• No ActiveX or VBscript6

• US-CERT recommends5

Firefox is more usable

• Tabbed browsing6

• Popup blocking6

• Smart update6

• Google search box6

• Download manager6

• Searchable history6

Firefox is customizable

• Themes6

• Extensions6

• Toolbars6

Implementation is easy

• Automatically imports favorites, passwords, bookmarks, and other data from other browsers6

• Looks and feels like Internet Explorer6

• Small download6

• Easy installation6

There are possible objections

• Support

• Learning curve

• Slower than Internet Explorer

• Better options

Internet users should use Firefox

• Security

• Usability

• Customizability

• Easy implementation

Sources

• W3Schools. “Firefox Browser.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_firefox.asp>

• W3Schools. “Browser Statistics.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp>

• Lemos, Robert and Paul Festa. “IE flaw may boost rival browsers.” CNet News. Published June 29 2004. Nov. 2004. <http://asia.cnet.com/news/security/0,39037064,39185013,00.htm>

• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. “Vulnerability Notes by Metric.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/bymetric>

• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. “Vulnerability Note VU#713878.” Published June 9, 2004. Nov. 2004. <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878/>

• Mozilla Foundation. “Firefox – Rediscover the Web.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/>

Sources

• Pope, Justin. “Biology stirs software monoculture debate.” Published Feb. 16 2004. Nov. 2004. “http://www.detnews.com/2004/technology/0402/16/technology-64754.htm”

• “User Agent (Web Browser/Operating System) Statistics.” Nov. 2004. <http://www.doctor-html.com/agent_stats/>