IE 11 keep it or get rid of it?

[julio99]

Not sure if I'm in the right place but here goes. I have been doing a lot of googling and reading on the merits of keeping IE 11 alive on my Windows 7 laptop if I don't use it. Because of the fact that it always seems to get attacked in it's vulnerabilities when hackers find them, I can't see the benefit of keeping it installed on Windows 7. I use Chrome and I have PaleMoon installed as a backup browser. On the other hand I was reading that the developers of IE quit really working on the security of IE once they went past IE 9 which to the Article's author was the browser to have if you were going to keep any of the Internet Explorer browsers. What does any of the powers that be think? Is it worth keeping IE11 on my Windows 7 x64 Acer laptop, or should I roll it back to IE 9 and control the Windows auto updates myself, so as not to have 11 automatically installed again? Any help in this dilemma would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Yard Dog]

Leave IE alone.. keep updating as needed.. but. use your other browsers as default.. My IE only is used for my MS updates.. other than that.. I don't use it.. however.. it can be made safe if the correct settings and add ons are installed..

 

[julio99]

Leave IE alone.. keep updating as needed.. but. use your other browsers as default.. My IE only is used for my MS updates.. other than that.. I don't use it.. however.. it can be made safe if the correct settings and add ons are installed..

So you wouldn't uninstall it or roll it back? The reason I was even considering this was there was an MSXML 4 that was deemed EndofLife by Secunia and when I was going through the motions of trying to update the MSXML to version 6 I ended up getting all these wild hiccups that ended up being IE crashes in Event Viewer. For instance I clicked on the IE icon in start menu and IE just flash started. It opened and closed all at the same time. I'm sure it was because of uninstalling and deleting the MSXML 4 from the library but I can't help thinking hat if I didn't have IE, I wouldn't have to worry about it. By the way I had restore points and an Acronis backup before I started all the crud with the endo of life MSXML 4 dll's. I guess I'll just leave it alone then if no one else wants to pipe in.

 

[Yard Dog]

There will be other opinions. of course.. that one I offered is just mine .. I have no issues ..

 

[derekimo]

You can't actually uninstall IE anyway, you can disable it in windows features,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5023-windows-features-turn-off.html

It's part of the OS, and newer versions have updated security features worth keeping it updated for even if you don't use it.

Can you post a link to the article mentioned in your first post,

On the other hand I was reading that the developers of IE quit really working on the security of IE once they went past IE 9 which to the Article's author was the browser to have if you were going to keep any of the Internet Explorer browsers.

 

[julio99]

You can't actually uninstall IE anyway, you can disable it in windows features,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5023-windows-features-turn-off.html

It's part of the OS, and newer versions have updated security features worth keeping it updated for even if you don't use it.

Can you post a link to the article mentioned in your first post,

On the other hand I was reading that the developers of IE quit really working on the security of IE once they went past IE 9 which to the Article's author was the browser to have if you were going to keep any of the Internet Explorer browsers.

I can't find the exact link that I read that going through my history but I did find one that mentioned the developers and the business of uninstalling or rolling back to 9. I know it really doesn't uninstall but for all intents and purposes it gets it buried deep where it is not affecting the security of the machine. I know that everyone has an opinion and there are a boatload of MS haters so I tend to take a lot of these articles for just what they are, opinions. I was just trying to get a feeling on what people thought of keeping IE against getting rid of it as good as Windows lets you.
How to uninstall Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 7 | fixedByVonnie

 

[Layback Bear]

1. Leave I.E. alone, it's part of Windows 7.
2. You don't need any 3rd party program to update I.E. Windows 7 Updates will do that.
3. Use any browser or browsers you want to. Because I.E. is there you don't have to use it to do your internet searching.
4. I have found if you keep I.E. ON Windows Updates seem to go smoother.
5. Does your system have all the Windows 7 Updates including SP-1?
6. Everyday their is someone one the internet talking about which browser is the best or safest. It' is a constant changing thing.
7. The main browser I use is Firefox but I.E. is set as default. A browser doesn't have to be set as default to use it.

8. Who ever was the clown that posted Microsoft hasn't or don't work on security of I.E. is on some sort of weird drug or just pain misinformed.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2962872)

Installation date: ‎7/‎8/‎2014 5:11 PM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

More information:
MS14-037: Security update for Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11: July 8, 2014

Help and Support:
Microsoft Support

 

[julio99]

1. Leave I.E. alone, it's part of Windows 7.
2. You don't need any 3rd party program to update I.E. Windows 7 Updates will do that.
3. Use any browser or browsers you want to. Because I.E. is there you don't have to use it to do your internet searching.
4. I have found if you keep I.E. ON Windows Updates seem to go smoother.
5. Does your system have all the Windows 7 Updates including SP-1?
6. Everyday their is someone one the internet talking about which browser is the best or safest. It' is a constant changing thing.
7. The main browser I use is Firefox but I.E. is set as default. A browser doesn't have to be set as default to use it.

8. Who ever was the clown that posted Microsoft hasn't or don't work on security of I.E. is on some sort of weird drug or just pain misinformed.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2962872)

Installation date: ‎7/‎8/‎2014 5:11 PM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

More information:
MS14-037: Security update for Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11: July 8, 2014

Help and Support:
Microsoft Support

Everything on my machine is up to date. I use Belarc Advisor and Secunia PSI although I am getting perturbed with the latter. As I said earlier, everyone has an opinion and the that is why I ask if I'm not sure. You can usually get fact based answers if you come to the forums. I will leave IE 11 well enough alone. I use the Chrome browser and PaleMoon on occasion. I was just concerned that if I wasn't ever using IE why did I keep it installed but you made some good points so like I said I will leave it well enough alone. Thanks.

 

[Layback Bear]

Belarc is a good program. I use it.
I use FileHippo Updater also.
I had problems with Secunia PSI.

 

[julio99]

Belarc is a good program. I use it.
I use FileHippo Updater also.
I had problems with Secunia PSI.

There is an issue in Secunia right now with MSXML 4 being end of life and they have hot-linked us to this MSXML 6 download, but there is like 4-5 different files to work with and I'm not about to guess which one I'm supposed to if any so I just created an ignore rule and left it till Secunia decides what they want us to do. I wrote in their forum and everyone seems to be going in circles so I have a feeling it's going to be a work in progress on that. I used FileHippo updater before but I can't remember if that has to be run in startup and exactly which programs does it update. I get a lot of programs from their site because they don't add spyware and adware to the downloads.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yea I'm not at all sure what or where your getting attacked but a browsers security features are only as good as your real security,
ie9-10-11 are all optimized for MSE Microsoft security essentials,
But even that is not good enough for todays threats,
A real time malware security is a Must for any third party security free or paid for,
For that most on SevenForums/.... will all agree Malwarebytes Pro now Premium is a Must Have,
Good security combination,
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/206705-good-free-system-security-combination.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/297196-top-av-program-use-here-seven.html
So no matter which browser you prefer to use/ Heck I'm still on ie10
I use ie11 on windows 8,
I have no other browsers installed on either system,
I visit some really questionable sites so I feel no need to use Chrome or Firefox or any other third party browser,

Eventually you will be attached on any browser so it's not really which browser you use it what security suites do you trust to protect you from todays threats,
Because that the ultimate choice change you might visit
Cheers.

 

[Layback Bear]

I just use FileHippo Updater on demand. I keep nothing like that in Start Up.
I update everything manually and do it often. I do it that way for a reasons.
1. I will always be with the computer if needed.
2. I get to inspect things before okaying the update.
3. If something goes wrong I know exactly what was updated last and have a starting place to start looking for problem.

Here is another little trick.
When you down load a program or update for a program from the internet make a note of all the offerings you didn't want. When your done reboot and then look for those programs you unselected and see if they are their.
Reason be is sometimes when you select not to include the extra goodies you might still get them. Remember the other guy might not play fair.
A while back I found when doing Adobe updates it would install some McAfee things even when I didn't select them. Adobe no longer does that little trick.
When you do program updates check msconfig and see if it sneaked itself into Startup or NON Microsoft Services. Many time they will.
It sounds complicated and time consuming but it isn't.

I try to keep my computer simple. Either Windows 7 or me tell the computer to do things; nothing else. That means I have to be watchful and it's my duty to keep things clean and updated.

My active security programs are:
MSE
Malwarebytes Pro (Premium)
Windows 7 built in firewall

 

[julio99]

I just use FileHippo Updater on demand. I keep nothing like that in Start Up.
I update everything manually and do it often. I do it that way for a reasons.
1. I will always be with the computer if needed.
2. I get to inspect things before okaying the update.
3. If something goes wrong I know exactly what was updated last and have a starting place to start looking for problem.

Here is another little trick.
When you down load a program or update for a program from the internet make a note of all the offerings you didn't want. When your done reboot and then look for those programs you unselected and see if they are their.
Reason be is sometimes when you select not to include the extra goodies you might still get them. Remember the other guy might not play fair.
A while back I found when doing Adobe updates it would install some McAfee things even when I didn't select them. Adobe no longer does that little trick.
When you do program updates check msconfig and see if it sneaked itself into Startup or NON Microsoft Services. Many time they will.
It sounds complicated and time consuming but it isn't.

I try to keep my computer simple. Either Windows 7 or me tell the computer to do things; nothing else. That means I have to be watchful and it's my duty to keep things clean and updated.

My active security programs are:
MSE
Malwarebytes Pro (Premium)
Windows 7 built in firewall

Yes Adobe is notorious for their McAffee offerings and you do have to watch out for all the add on spyware programs that are attached to the nice free ones. My Windows update settings are set to inform me of updates but I will choose to download and install. I'm glad you told me that I don't need to use FileHippo in startup. i try to keep everything I can out of startup. After a while you can get so slowed down if you let unnecessary programs run at startup. It sounds like we're good. Thanks so much for the info.

 

[julio99]

Hi,
Yea I'm not at all sure what or where your getting attacked but a browsers security features are only as good as your real security,
ie9-10-11 are all optimized for MSE Microsoft security essentials,
But even that is not good enough for todays threats,
A real time malware security is a Must for any third party security free or paid for,
For that most on SevenForums/.... will all agree Malwarebytes Pro now Premium is a Must Have,
Good security combination,
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/206705-good-free-system-security-combination.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/297196-top-av-program-use-here-seven.html
So no matter which browser you prefer to use/ Heck I'm still on ie10
I use ie11 on windows 8,
I have no other browsers installed on either system,
I visit some really questionable sites so I feel no need to use Chrome or Firefox or any other third party browser,

Eventually you will be attached on any browser so it's not really which browser you use it what security suites do you trust to protect you from todays threats,
Because that the ultimate choice change you might visit
Cheers.

I'm not really getting attacked. I was just wondering if I needed to keep IE if I wasn't using it. I checked your links and I was curious as to why you reject 3rd party cookies? Don't you need those enabled to be able to log in to some programs? I run NIS 2014. I have MBAM PRO but I choose to just run the free part now for it's scanning ability. I also do the same with SAS. That would be SuperAntiSpyware just in case. I have the Pro version but choose to just use it's scanning features while I run Norton Internet Security. You are right about getting caught no matter what browser you use. I still use Chrome but I have PaleMoon installed also and that was the reason I was looking to get rid of IE, but everyone has convinced me to leave it as is for now so that is what I will do. Thanks so much for your input.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Your system spec's seem to need updating ?
Your showing Eset Nod32 ?

Two antivirus programs will make you more venerable not safer

 

[julio99]

Hi,
Your system spec's seem to need updating ?
Your showing Eset Nod32 ?

Two antivirus programs will make you more venerable not safer

That is changed in my profile. I am only running Norton Internet Security 2014

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Thanks for the update
IMHO using the pro version of mbam would be better than not,
I don't believe many a-v's are very good at detecting malware or blocking malware,
Cheers.

 

[julio99]

Hi,
Thanks for the update
IMHO using the pro version of mbam would be better than not,
I don't believe many a-v's are very good at detecting malware or blocking malware,
Cheers.

Are you saying get rid of Norton and just run MBAM Pro as the only protection? I have run MBAM Pro and NIS together and they work just too many hiccups. You have to delay the startup on MBAM if you're running it together and every now and then like I said there would be some kind of freeze or hiccup that I had to deal with and believe me I worked the forums of both companies to make sure I was doing it right. You know MBAM professes not to be an AV in the sense of the word. They say you are supposed to be able to run their software side by side with most major brands, but when you go to the forums and read like in Norton, a lot of folks say they just run the scanner. So, tell me what you think, run by itself, run side by side, or..............????

 

[ThrashZone]

I believe Norton is over zealous on some really basic stuff like user actions...,
I had Norton sometime back and I would review what features of Norton you have installed or activated in your browsers,
All Norton browser add-ons should be disabled/ toolbar .....

I would trust mbam more than Norton so yes side by side would be ideal I use it that way with MSE without any issues,
mbam 2..... has had some wacky reviews which you can also go back to 1.75... if Norton is having issues with 2....
I really don't see any immediate reason to upgrade to 2.... especially if Norton is having issues with it,
But Malware related corruption is where most goodies are coming from so mbam real time protection is and should be a priority to get up and running,

I've been corrupted using Norton and they only use third party utilities to clean after the fact,
One of those third party utilities is mbam
Go figure/ if mbam can't clean it then all Norton says is to re-install windows = been there,

I've always used Internet explorer,
I've been using MSE 2 years/ mbam Pro/ sas Pro for nearly 4 years
I've fresh installed win-7 by choice once not because of corruption but to get rid of the manufactures junkware including Norton on one machine and Mcafee on another,
Two years of clear sailing since fresh install,
Nice little twist though Norton to this day flags my word doc's sent to customers as corrupt
They still miss me,
Cheers.

 

[julio99]

I believe Norton is over zealous on some really basic stuff like user actions...,
I had Norton sometime back and I would review what features of Norton you have installed or activated in your browsers,
All Norton browser add-ons should be disabled/ toolbar .....

I would trust mbam more than Norton so yes side by side would be ideal I use it that way with MSE without any issues,
mbam 2..... has had some wacky reviews which you can also go back to 1.75... if Norton is having issues with 2....
I really don't see any immediate reason to upgrade to 2.... especially if Norton is having issues with it,
But Malware related corruption is where most goodies are coming from so mbam real time protection is and should be a priority to get up and running,

I've been corrupted using Norton and they only use third party utilities to clean after the fact,
One of those third party utilities is mbam
Go figure/ if mbam can't clean it then all Norton says is to re-install windows = been there,

I've always used Internet explorer,
I've been using MSE 2 years/ mbam Pro/ sas Pro for nearly 4 years
I've fresh installed win-7 by choice once not because of corruption but to get rid of the manufactures junkware including Norton on one machine and Mcafee on another,
Two years of clear sailing since fresh install,
Nice little twist though Norton to this day flags my word doc's sent to customers as corrupt
They still miss me,
Cheers.

Your post makes a lot of sense and has given me a lot to think on. First I wasn't aware you could go back to the latest version of MBAM before they really whacked the interface. I don't like but then who am I? It still works it's just got some bugs in it still as do most of these security program upgrades. I think sometimes they get in a hurry for whatever reason and put out their software a little before it's time but as you said if you can still downgrade, (you can tell me how to get the older version) then I guess it's ok. Now as far as Norton goes it has not really been bad to me but it does have a bit too much which does make it a bit over zealous. It detects a bit too many FP's also which makes me add exclusions in 3 different areas. I still have about 9 months left on an ESET AV 6 I believe. Should I rather install that instead of Norton and run MBAM 1.75 with it?, or just keep Norton IS? Let me know if you would.