Internet Explorer 8

[Doug Jones]

I keep getting a pop-up to update/upgrade to Internet Explorer 8. Is this a good thing to do? My default browser is google.com.

[Mitch Drumm]

I assume you mean Chrome, rather than google.com for a browser?

Yes, IE 8 is much preferable to earlier versions, but if you don't like IE generally, you probably won't like any version of it. If you don't use it, ignore the update message.

IE 9 will be out shortly.

A lot of people have picked sides and are very stuck on the browser of their choice--kinda like Apple versus Microsoft. They all have faults.

[Wiz Feinberg]

I keep getting a pop-up to update/upgrade to Internet Explorer 8. Is this a good thing to do? My default browser is google.com.

What is your operating system and service pack level?

There have been a boat load of exploitable vulnerabilities in the Internet Exploder HTML reendering engine and the jscript interpreter. These vulnerabilities are targeted by various crimeware kits. Some target Windows applications that depend upon Internet Explorer to display them. One of these is Outlook Express and another is Windows (Live) Mail.

Internet Explorer 8 has additional security features lacking in IE 7 and earlier. By installing IE 8 and its service pack, you protect those other programs from becoming hacked by the crime packs.

Therefore, I recommend upgrading to IE 8, even though it is not going to be used much.

Last, I have read that IE 9 will not install into Windows XP. If that remains true, whatever vulnerabilities that would not succeed in IE 9 might succeed in IE 7 or 8.

It is certainly a prudent strategy to operate your daily browsing account with less than administrator privileges. This alone can reduce your likelihood of having your PC infected by malware by about 90%.

[Doug Jones]

Thanks guys. I have Vista 32. Should I update to 8 or wait for 9?

[Wiz Feinberg]

Thanks guys. I have Vista 32. Should I update to 8 or wait for 9?

For your security, update to IE 8, then check for Windows Updates and download IE 8 SP1. Repeat the process until there are no more updates.