Cranfield Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 If you install Mozilla Firefox and exclusively use it as your browser, is Internet Explorer turned off and not connected to the Internet ? Or, is it running in the background and capable of being infected, or compromised ? Is there a way, apart from uninstalling it, to ensure its isolated (if this is necessary) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Cranfield, I recently moved over to Firefox from Internet Explorer and have to say I find it better. I am not sure if the Internet Explorer can be deleted from your computer entirely. I think this is a Microsoft scam to keep people from removing it. Just set up Mozilla as your default browser. Sure other members will aNSWER YOUR QUESTION MORE THOROUGHLY. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 If you install Mozilla Firefox and exclusively use it as your browser, is Internet Explorer turned off and not connected to the Internet ? Or, is it running in the background and capable of being infected, or compromised ? Is there a way, apart from uninstalling it, to ensure its isolated (if this is necessary) ? It is still installed, but not running as long as you set your machine to use FireFox as the default browser. If it is not running you can't be infected by something designed to exploit a flaw in IE. IE can still run if you want it to, there is no easy way to uninstall IE manually, though this program claims to be able to do it. The main problem is that the core of windows explorer and internet explorer are shared, that is to say components which are now part of internet explorer are required for normal function of your PC (since XP). There is a microsoft knowledgebase article on removing IE, however its quite complex and I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you have a known good backup of your system and registry. If you are familiar with XP's policy and group policy tools you can prevent it from running that way. I just remove the icon from my desktop so it can't be used and use FF instead, more than sufficient for my needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 What's the score regarding auto updates? The last time I dabbled with Firefox I had a real problem getting the security updates / releases. No doubt this is deliberate on the part of Microsoft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Early versions of FF had a broken updater, thats been fixed for ages now. If you accept the default install it will automatically check for you and download them for you. It then prompts you to restart FF. Coulnd't be simpler :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Thing is though alot of some pages are formatted for IE so they wont display properly in Firefox (hotmail for example). :blink: edited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Personally since gmail I would say thats a good thing, hotmail sucks :blink: Some things which expect IE won't work, or may be partially functional. I tend to use that as a measure of quality of the site, and skill of the developer. If it won't work in Firefox they aint getting my business, simple as that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I need to use hotmail cause my university account has been moved to a hotmail service. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Oh dear that sucks, find the goth bloke who admins your mail and get him to forward it to your gmail :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Was going to go and sign up for an account but I need an invite. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 pm me your email address edit: invite sent to the one in your profile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Excellent thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Quote, Pin, 'IE can still run if you want it to, there is no easy way to uninstall IE manually, though this program claims to be able to do it.' This program is not to be used with Windows XP as it will corrupt the files on the running platform. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Thanks for the responses and I am clear on my questions now. :blink: They were prompted by an event this morning. I have been giving Firefox another try for the last 3 days, as I have had problems with Internet Explorer "having to close" and not "ending" when I turn my PC off, I usually have to manually "end now". This morning when I was not using my PC, I got the message, "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and must close etc". I immediately assumed it was Internet Explorer. I have now realised that Windows Explorer is different and I believe it manages files. So I have a different problem, if this keeps appearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Quite right, that wasn't the link I intended to paste :blink: However this one is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Cranfield, If you have been experiencing the problems for just a couple of days, try a system restore to an earlier date whwn all worked O.K. Start, Programs, accessories, system tools, system restore. This process will not erase or damage data onthe computer and is reversible if it doesn't fix the problem. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Thanks for the responses and I am clear on my questions now. :blink: They were prompted by an event this morning. I have been giving Firefox another try for the last 3 days, as I have had problems with Internet Explorer "having to close" and not "ending" when I turn my PC off, I usually have to manually "end now". This morning when I was not using my PC, I got the message, "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and must close etc". I immediately assumed it was Internet Explorer. I have now realised that Windows Explorer is different and I believe it manages files. So I have a different problem, if this keeps appearing. Yes, different, yet the same. Very confusing, intended by microsoft, but confusing all the same. If this has just started to happen then the simplest thing to do is undo what you did back to before it started to happen. If its a standard install of XP then use system restore to go back to a point in time when you know your computer worked. This might not work if you have been "hit" by something, the only thing you can do there is make sure you are bang up to date with spyware / virus program updates, do a full scan and hope for the best. Check your eventlog ( control panel - > Administrative tools -> event viewer ) Look for error messages prior to the lockups, you might get a steer as to which process or program caused the dicky fit. Good luck! Edit: damn, beat me to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apbuild Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Sorry Pin, I have to say that you probably know how to fix the problem for Cranfield better than me. Sorry to butt in. Rob. Note for everyone. Go to Grisoft and download the free, thirty day trial of 'Ewido'. Run a full scan. I was amazed at the number of items this program picked up on that were lingering on my computer. Some where even labeled as a high security risk and with all of my business, and banking details on the P.C, it gave me the heeby-jeebies. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Its an "Application Error" and appears to happen "occassionally", when I check the Recycle Bin. It does not appear to happen on any other desktop files. When I exit the Recycle Bin, all my desktop icons go to the white box type appearance, then return to normal and the error message appears. I have superb anti virus and spyware software, either running constantly ,or scanned daily. Nothing remotely significant has appeared for weeks. I also run the occassional free scan, from other Suppliers, just to be sure. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Sorry Pin, I have to say that you probably know how to fix the problem for Cranfield better than me. Sorry to butt in. Not at all mate, you know what you are doing by the looks of things! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Rob, I appreciate your comments (and everyone else's) and take them on board. :blink: I have heard good things from others about "Ewido" , I will give the free trial a go. In the early days of Anti Spyware Software, there were always suggestions that the software you were testing, would put some "nasties" on your PC and then "find" them. This made you believe that your present software was no good. I'm sure they don't still do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Its an "Application Error" and appears to happen "occassionally", when I check the Recycle Bin.It does not appear to happen on any other desktop files. When I exit the Recycle Bin, all my desktop icons go to the white box type appearance, then return to normal and the error message appears. I have superb anti virus and spyware software, either running constantly ,or scanned daily. Nothing remotely significant has appeared for weeks. I also run the occassional free scan, from other Suppliers, just to be sure. :blink: Its a guess, but one of the packages you have on there may be providing a "protected" or "enhanced" recycle bin function. For instance Norton does this with its "Norton protected recycle bin" nonsense. I know in some cases uninstalling or upgrading norton AV breaks things (like most AV products, nobody makes a good one). You can probably tell right clicking on the recycle bin and say properties - details would be in there. If there is some enhancement disable it and see if you still have the same problem. Cranners you have PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I think this may be the answer. Firefox is auto clearing my Rubbish Bin and so is IE Privacy Keeper (on the Firefox setting). When I manually check the Recycle Bin, conflict arises. So, I will stop manually checking the Recycle Bin. :blink: Actually, I will turn off IE Privacy Keeper and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Article just posted on The Time website about another flaw in IE. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1-2368285,00.html I would use Firefox exclusively, except for the fact that MSN Messenger/Hotmail always defaults to IE (unsurprisingly). Is there a solution to this that will enable me to rid my PC of IE permanently??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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