Ahead of the curve.....

Quick Action: If you haven't done so already, go download Firefox or Opera now and replace Microsoft's Internet Exploder as your web browser.

I have covered this topic about web browsers before. But mainstream media is also jumping on the bandwagon. Two articles recently at www.wired.com (this one on Firefox -- http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65668,00.html , and this one on Opera -- http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66394,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2 )review the benefits I have been touting about these browsers. The Firefox article documents it's quick rise in popularity. That, my friends, is a good thing that people are beginning to be more concerned about security but also should be a warning sign for us as part of our security model. One of the benefits about using good software the general masses don't is that you fall below the radar for viruses, spyware, popups, hacks and other non-wanted annoyances. A piece of my security philosophy is to make yourself as small a target as possible. Let the viruses, spyware and other stuff target the most popular software packages while I contently use a lesser known, but more secure software package. It is kinda like not living in a house on Main Street where every bad guy can see you while passing by but rather living a couple of streets out of the way, perhaps on a dead end street. Just that alone lowers your visibility to the bad guys.

So anyway, keep your eye on the popularity of Firefox because that just might be the time to jump ship to a new, lower profile browser. Opera is one option and I hope to research a few more in the near future.