Let me first preface this post with the following disclaimer. I don't have a problem with Microsoft. I've been a Microsoft Certified Developer for at least 10 years, and plan to continue with the certifications. I personally use many of their fine products, and see no reason to stop with most of them. I only have a problem with Internet Explorer.
I've recently read about yet another Internet Explorer security problem. Apparently there is a vulnerability in VBScript (IE is the only browser that supports this I believe), that can use the F1 key to run remote code. The offending website just has to ask you to click F1 to see Microsoft help on a subject, and that's it, "arbitrary code could be executed in the security context of the currently logged-on user." That means that they probably just installed a virus, or spyware on your machine with a single keystroke from you.
I used to just tell people to upgrade their IE, especially if they were running IE7 or lower, but now, I'm just advising against using it all together. It's just not safe for day to day browsing.
As a web designer, IE 6 is the bane of my existence. It easily adds 20% to the schedule of our design implementation. IE 7 and 8 also add, but to a much lesser extent.
As a family technician, I see IE as the doorway to many security problems, which lead to the calls, "can you take a look at my computer? It's doing something really weird." I usually have to clean one or more viruses off, and install an automatically updated free anti-virus program. Then I always install and strongly suggest using Firefox. Many times, they just don't listen.
These are all very good browsers, that are free, more secure, more standards compliant, and much faster.
http://getfirefox.com
http://opera.com
http://google.com/chrome
If after reading this, you decide to continue using Internet Explorer, I have no respect for you.
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