Windows 7: Browser Comparisons using Peacekeeper

I did some comparisons with the major browsers on the web using the tests from Peacekeeper, the results are quite impressive for me, here are my system specs (poor ) and the browsers I used to make this comparison:

Pentium T2310 1.46GHz dual-core
1GB Ram
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
120GB HD
Intel GMA965 Express

Browsers Used:
Internet Explorer 8.0 32-Bit
Internet Explorer 8.0 64-Bit
Firefox 3.6.6
Google Chrome 5
Apple Safari 5
Opera 10.60


I also did a line chart with all results:




So is Opera really the best browser? What you guys think?

Well, it was best for you, on the Peacekeeper test. Doesn't mean it is the best browser for you. You'll decide that through use, and the "feel" of it. The functions, the addons if you need them, stability on your system. I personally use Opera 99% of the time. It does score best by far on Peacekeeper for me:






But that isn't reason enough to decide it is best. Only you can decide, all the tests in the world will only show that on those tests the browser performed better or worse than others.

A Guy

You cannot use the results of one test to determine what is best overall. In today's Internet world, many, including your's truly, put security first, and for that, Opera consistently rates poorly. Speed is important, but I can afford to wait an extra second or two. Internet Explorer 8 has repeatedly proven itself to be nothing like previous versions of IE, and consistently, since its release, has proven itself to be tops, or near the top in all categories of security, and in many cases performance too.

2010 Internet Explorer 8 Wins Again - Security Watch - what is significant about this from PCMag is PCMag has a pretty consistent history of slamming Microsoft for security.

2009 IE8 best at blocking malware sites, says study - Computerworld

Certainly, Mozilla and Firefox fans can list a litany of tests that put them on top. And Google and Chrome fans can do the same for theirs.

The bottom line however, is the user. You can use just about any browser and be safe, as long as you keep your system fully updated and patched, use a good real-time anti-malware program, stay behind a firewall, and you avoid risky practices like opening attachments and downloads without scanning first, visiting illegal porn and gambling sites, or participating in illegal filesharing via torrents and P2P sites. In other words, if you practice safe computing and use common sense, you can use just about any browser and be safe.

Digerati, you said:
Can you expand on that? I've not ever heard Opera was less secure, and for quite some time Secunia has had IE 8 and Firefox with unpatched vulnerabilities, but Opera has always quickly patched any known vulnerabilities. If your statement is only referring to anti phishing elements, then that I have seen mentioned. But as I say, I have never seen Opera being mentioned as less secure. I personally don't count on any browser to protect me from malicious sites, but perhaps that is what you are referring to.

A Guy

I don't know how current the info is, or if it's what Digerati was referring too re security - but there are/were some potential vulnerabilities because of the Unite component.

Regardless of browser, common sense is still the best A/V.

Did you not check out the links I provided above to NSS Labs tests that showed two years in a row that Opera came in last? And, the tests have dates on them, BTW, the most recent from earlier this year. And note smarteyeball's comment about Opera's Unite, which, as one expert put it, Is One Incredibly Bad Idea.

Here's a link to NSS Labs latest report. NSS Labs - Web Browser Security February 2010. Note the Executive Summary, where the findings indicate, It is important to note here that Internet Explorer 8 is not the same old insecure Internet Explorer of yesteryear. And neither is Microsoft who is tired of being bashed and blamed for the actions of badguys!

As I indicated above, I have no doubt fans of any other browser can find test results and exceptions that put this browser down and their browser on top. My point to join this thread was to make the following point as I said above,Exactly! Just as you should never count on just your anti-malware program, or just your firewall. None of those, alone or together, can save you from bad guys if you don't keep your operating system current or if you partake in risky practices.

I'm simple so I will keep it simple. Use what ever browser you choose to. The first security of any computer system is the user. All programs for security are add-ons that should be used in conjunction with the user.

Speaking of add-ons - many are great for making browsers insecure. Keep add-ons to a minimum. And always choose the custom install option for every program you install. Especially free ones. Even the best free programs need revenue so they often come loaded with fluff you don't need, such as toolbars, updaters, etc. So choose the custom install and pay careful attention to the options presented - they typically will foist stuff on you by default, unless you purposefully uncheck the option.

As a side benefit, I will note that most problems people encounter connecting to the Internet with IE and other browsers are frequently caused by wayward or conflicting add-ons. You can minimize connections problems by minimizing add-ons too.

Browsers aren't about benchmarks. Software all revolves around preference of functionality, layout and performance. Stability has a major factor as well.

All (modern) browsers pretty much have pop-up blocking and tabs. As long as you are on broadband and not dial-up, your browser should be fast.

To me the major points would be it's download manager interface and ad-blocking.

That is interesting criteria. Download managers are good for dial-up users, no doubt. But I feel if you have a good broadband connection, download managers are unnecessary - and often get in the way. Adobe DL manager is a perfect example and I make sure I avoid installing it (even though that takes some effort).

Ad-blocking is nice, but sadly, most browsers don't do a thorough job at that. Fortunately, there are decent add-ons for Chrome, FF, and IE for that. I expect the other alternatives have them available too.