Study: 40% of Internet Users Run Vulnerable Browsers

Published on July 7, 2008 By kryo In Personal Computing

In a new joint study recently released by Google, IBM, and Switzerland, it was found that more than four out of ten web users don't have the latest updates for their browsers of choice, and are likely vulnerable to attacks as a result.

It's probably not too surprising, but in the per-browser breakdowns, Firefox and Safari users do mostly keep up to date (83% and 65% running the latest versions, respectively). What is a bit surprising to me, given that users who opt for alternate browsers tend to be more security-conscious than the general internet populace, is that Opera came out with just over half of its users keeping up with patches. And finally, IE ranked at the bottom with a bit less than half of its users running the latest version, despite automatic updates having been standard on Windows machines for some time.

What about you guys? Are you running the latest version of your browser? If not, why not?

Comments (Page 1)

piotrr

on Jul 07, 2008

A small history of security concerns:

Opera 7: http://secunia.com/product/761/

Opera 8: http://secunia.com/product/4932/

Opera 9: http://secunia.com/product/10615/

Firefox 2: http://secunia.com/product/12434/

Firefox 3: http://secunia.com/product/19089/

I do run the latest version of Opera. In fact I don't see how you could not - if you're using Opera to browse the net, you're connected to the internet and you'll get an update reminder from Opera on-screen when you start the program.

The only reason I could think if that anyone would not get that reminder would be if they, say, never had to restart their browser?

Philly0381

on Jul 07, 2008

I use IE7, in fact IE is the only browser that I run. I check updates from MS daily and get what ever is available for my version of Windows and browser. Why wouldn't you?

I will get IE8 when it is ready for the general public.

Now I will duck so as not to get hit by people throwing rotten vegtables and stuff.

Pixeleo

on Jul 07, 2008

Now I will duck so as not to get hit by people throwing rotten vegtables and stuff.

There's nothing wrong with actually running IE.
It's personal choice. But 3 things make many people stay away from IE:

1. It's from Microsoft.
2. It's from Microsoft.
3. There is no 3rd thing.

Personally, I use Firefox...the latest version of course. It's configured to automatically update, and it does that easily. As for security concerns, you can always enhance your browser's security using a third party internet security app. All I use IE for is updates for Windows. If I could do that with Firefox, it's bye bye, IE.

Hadberz

on Jul 07, 2008

I use firefox and when it comes to updates I update everything on my computer whether its good for me or not

Cavan1

on Jul 07, 2008

All I use IE for is updates for Windows. If I could do that with Firefox, it's bye bye, IE.

Hey Pixeleo, with IE Tab extension, Microsoft update runs perfectly in Firefox 3.

WWW Link

TheDarkKnight2008

on Jul 07, 2008

It's probably due to all the old fogies running windows 2000 and ie6.

piotrr

on Jul 07, 2008

Cavan1, that's because with IE-Tab, you ARE using IE, it's just rendered within a Firefox window. Just like this Impulse window is doing.

HAPTORK

on Jul 07, 2008

I use opera, always latest version.

mafutnyoas

on Jul 07, 2008

I mainly use Firefox, and occasionally use Opera for a change.

Mumblefratz

on Jul 07, 2008

It's personal choice. But 3 things make many people stay away from IE:

1. It's from Microsoft.
2. It's from Microsoft.
3. There is no 3rd thing.

While I agree wholeheartedly with the above the problem is that it's on my machine no matter what I do. In that case I may as well use it unless there's some compelling reason not to and I really haven't seen one other than the above.

As far as automatic updates I disable those and don't allow anything to run automatically on my machine. Basically I don't count on my browser for security, that's why I have a security suite. If merely keeping your browser close to up to date was sufficient then perhaps I would, but it's not so why bother.

Pixeleo

on Jul 07, 2008

THanks Cavan1. But still no IE removal...because IE Tab relies on IE.

Maybe I'll delete all the shortcuts, and pretend that it never insisted

Thrawn2787

on Jul 07, 2008

FireFox 3 FTW

Coelocanth

on Jul 07, 2008

Mostly Firefox for me, with the occasional use of Opera. Both fully updated. (And I guess I'm an 'old fogey' age wise, although I don't run Windows 2000. XP for me.

)

Pixeleo

on Jul 07, 2008

and pretend that it never insisted

I meant existed

Mistralok1

on Jul 07, 2008

I use FF3, and IMO, it's the best browser out there now. I have a widescreen monitor, so I especially like the page zoom function. It even zooms images, and very cleanly also. It does have it's little annoyances, but these are usually easy to fix. I just discovered another one. If you hate the "Downloads Complete" alert as much as I do, there is a way to stop it via a hidden setting. Type "about:config" into the location bar. Scroll down to "browser.download.manager.showAlertOnComplete", and set the value to "false". Problem solved. This was endlessly annoying, especially when using Object Dock, since it covers it up and takes seemingly forever to go away.

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