The Czech company, creator of the famous Avast! Free Antivirus software, recommended on its blog that users who use Internet Explorer stop using it, and switch to Google Chrome, because it is a more secure browser. The recommendation comes after a big security flaw was detected in Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8. This vulnerability affects all who use Windows XP and Internet Explorer.
The problem was detected during the last few days of 2012, after the website of the U.S. Council of Foreign Relations was hacked using the same vulnerability, which allows a knowledgeable hacker to take complete control of a system.
Microsoft responded by releasing a patch that temporarily fixes the problem until a definite solution is found. They were also quick to highlight that versions 9 and 10 of Internet Explorer are not affected by the vulnerability, as they aren’t compatible with the older and beloved Windows XP operating system, for which Microsoft wants to end support.
Meanwhile, the Czech business that created the famous antivirus claims in its statement that Google Chrome, in addition to being more secure, is faster, supports HTML 5, and offers a better user experience. The thing is that there is a commercial relationship between Google and Avast, which is why when you install the Avast! Free Antivirus program, it asks if you want to install the Google utility bar. This casts a shadow of doubt on the objectivity of Avast’s recommendation, to put it delicately.
However, in practice, the dilemma is clear for Windows XP users that want to keep their security: either keep using Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8, and install the temporary patch released by Microsoft, or start using a different browser, which could be Chrome, Opera, the always-reliable Mozilla Firefox, or whichever other one that is most suitable to their needs.
Download Avast! Free Antivirus on Uptodown| http://avast-home.en.uptodown.com/
Download Google Chrome on Uptodown | http://google-chrome.en.uptodown.com/
Download Internet Explorer 9 on Uptodown
Windows 32 bit version | http://internet-explorer-9.en.uptodown.com/
If you have Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer installed, it is possible that Avast Browser Cleanup reports ‘Google Search Protect’ on your computer and recommends to remove it. Google Search Protect was most probably installed together with the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer. In general, Avast Browser Cleanup