Internet Explorer 8 Adjudged Most Secure Browser by Microsoft-funded Report
Posted 08/18/09 at 06:06:45 AM by Pulkit Chandna
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In July, a company named NSS Labs conducted two tests to determine the most secure browser among Internet Explorer 8, Google Chrome 2, Apple Safari 4, Mozilla Firefox 3 and Opera 10 Beta. To Microsoft’s delight, Internet Explorer was adjudged the most secure browser.
It was found to have blocked 81% of live malware threats during the tests. The figure seems more imposing once you learn that the runner-up, Firefox 3, only managed to block 27% of malware threats. To boot, Microsoft’s browser also managed to block 83% of phishing URLs, with Firefox finishing second with 80%.
But Ars Technica has cast doubts over the veracity of the tests. The heavily lopsided nature of the results is not the only thing to blame for its skepticism. Amy Barzdukas, General Manager of Internet Explorer, told Ars Technica that the tests had been sponsored by Microsoft. Apparently, it ended up becoming the lone sponsor, as other companies didn’t respond to NSS Labs’ call for funding. Microsoft claims to have had no control over the results.
"We invited Google, Mozilla, Apple, Opera to participate, but they didn’t even bother to respond, except for Opera, which stated they “don’t really focus on malware," NSS Labs’ president, Rick Moy, told Ars Technica.
Image Credit: Tech-New
This article is misleading at best
Submitted by vphatak on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 11:00pm
NSS Labs did NOT state that Internet Explorer was the "most secure" browser anywhere in either report. In fact, if you read the report you will find that it states the test was NOT about the security of the browser itself, but the added layer of protection offered by each. Hence warning about Phishing sites and Socially Engineered Malware downloads.
Also, NSS Labs did not state that IE8 was the best at Phishing protection. It stated that Firefox 3 & IE8 were statistically tied. It did say that IE8 was significantly better than all other browsers at preventing downloads of socially engineered malware (i.e. codecs infected with trojans, etc.)
All of which is besides the point: Scientific testing is verifiable and reproducible. NSS Labs report provided the methodology as well as detailed results for anyone to verify and reproduce the results.
--> Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, but not his/her own facts.
Submitted by b_c_pc on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 12:21pm
This remindes me of the cigarette company funded lab tests done in the 1960's that conclusively demonstrated smoking did NOT cause cancer.
Yea, right...
A wise man once said: Guns
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 12:24pm
A wise man once said:
Guns don't kill people...it these LITTLE HARD THINGS!
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by robotsneedhugs2 on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 11:46am
Just use Firefox with add-ons like AdBlock and NoScript.
Also, WOT
Submitted by vphatak on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 11:18pm
This test was about phishing and "socially engineered" malware, not exploits against browsers. Meaning someone intentionally downloaded software that contained malware (i.e. video codecs & warez software) or might be conned into giving up personal information on a Phishing site.
If you read the actual reports, you will see that they clearly state this.
NoScript and AdBlock both protect against browser exploits. But exploits were NOT the topic of these research reports. However all of the tested web browsers make claims to protect users from malware and phishing - the topic of these reports.
Please read the reports and see if you feel the same way afterwards. Some of the "journalists" have either
a) not done their homework and read the actual reports
b) are intentionally misrepresenting the results in order to make the story "controversial"
c) don't understand the difference between exploits, malware and phishing.
d) all of the above
Read the reports and then decide for yourself.
Submitted by popstop785 on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 11:23am
I am partial to Firefox, but do find myself using IE8 as my secondary browser. IMO, IE8 is a big improvment over the recent IE browsers. That is just my personal view though.
LoL! ======================
Submitted by zerokool on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 9:53am
LoL!
=====================================
People should know when they have been conquired!
Submitted by Hutif on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 9:45am
IE get 81% and the runner-up get 27% ... Iranian elections, anyone?
Meh
Submitted by nmanguy on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 9:43am
I use Firefox because I like the addons, but right now, IE8 is MUCH better overall than 6 and 7 ever were, and safer too, and I'm less likely to say "Hey, try out Firefox, it's better, faster and safer" to someone running it.
Submitted by mrvander on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 6:59am
They were invited by the lab doing the testing, not Microsoft. Not only that - they were invited to FUND the test, not participate (all the browsers were tested regardless of the funding request.) Microsoft is the only one who coughed up money which is why the results of this test are in question. All the other browsers WERE tested - the respective companies just didn't shell out any money to the lab.
Read beyond the headline.
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 9:01am
evenodder, Scurina PSI is running right now, of Firefox, Chrome and IE8 only IE8 has a security flag, and it isn't in a module its inthe actual IE8 EXE
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by mattman059 on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 6:37am
It just bothers me a little bit that Microsoft won a Microsoft sponsored test......Theres just something not right about that.
Do you know why the other browsers didnt respond??? It's because they arent STUPID! they werent born yesterday...If your biggest rival invited you to have your software tested to see if it was better than theirs..and THEY were paying for it, would you do it?
Submitted by zerokool on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 6:19am
I'm sure if Apple sponsored it then there would be no debateing of it's results am I right? At least Microsoft fixes their security holes promptly. This could be why it's more secure, need more specifics I agree...
Submitted by chemguyca on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 5:16am
Who was it that paid the bills for that study again? Isn't the world full of small coincedences?
Submitted by zerokool on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 4:52am
Yet another argument MS fan boys can use to counter Apple fan boys. Let the battle rage on!!!
Why would you use this,
Submitted by doomgrunt on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 5:29am
Why would you use this, a test that is possibly false, for an Apple vs. Microsoft debate? If there was no questions about the test's integrity, and IE still came out on top, then it would be good for an argument.
Submitted by snapple00 on Tue, 08/18/2009 - 7:57am
He is still trying to justify spending 3000 on an outdated laptop that can't run much of anything.
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