If you haven’t quit Internet Explorer yet, here are 3 reasons to ditch it for good.
Microsoft has been phasing out versions of Internet Explorer (IE) for years; many versions of IE are no longer supported by the company. In fact, IE 10 will reach end of support on January 31, 2020 and Microsoft recommends using its new browser Microsoft Edge as your default windows browser.
“So why do so many people still use Internet Explorer?” you ask.
It is a common misconception that IE is a still widely used browser. In 2015, about 12% of the browser market was using IE. Today, only about 3% of users are hanging onto IE according to StatCounter.
At Armada we still have clients asking for websites to be compatible with their old versions of IE. Here are three reasons why that is nearly impossible (from a development standpoint) and why using IE could leave your online data unprotected.
1.) It is a security risk.
In early 2019, Microsoft’s own Worldwide Lead for Cybersecurity, Chris Jackson, urged individuals to stop using Internet Explorer.
Older versions of IE have outdated software and security risks. Hackers target browsers with reduced or nonexistent security measures which makes continuing to use IE for web browsing, shopping, banking, and filling out online forms a serious risk for all that data being stored in your browser. A computer connected to the Internet through an outdated version of IE is vulnerable to hackers and cyber criminals.
Some businesses have continued to use IE because specific company software or website portals are dependent on its underlying infrastructure. But forcing an entire company to remain exclusively on an outdated browser for a single application use is a unsafe mistake.
“We want you to use IE for the sites that need it – what I’m trying to say here is that I hope you don’t use it for everything else,” Jackson commented in a blog post.
2.) New websites don’t jive with old IE
Both the Internet and website design platforms are continually and rapidly changing. Content management systems (CMS), like WordPress, have changed the way most websites are built. CMS platforms are constantly releasing updates to patch vulnerabilities and add functionality. Responsive design, rotating banners, sticky headers, mobile menus are all features that were unheard of not that long ago and that are common practice on websites today.
Web design and development is a core service Armada provides to our clients and we keep our new sites updated and in line with current web development trends. Often these new features act strange or do not display properly in IE. New technology may not be understood by older versions of IE and it can be nearly impossible to troubleshoot.
If you are still using IE, you are probably experiencing problems on many sites you browse online. When you upgrade to a new browser your web surfing experience will be MUCH improved.
Almost all U.S. web development firms (Armada included) no longer offer support or guarantee site appearance or functionality in IE. If your website is behaving oddly in IE, take a look at it in another browser. We test and maintain functionally for the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
3.) There are FREE alternatives that are safer, faster, and better.
Google Chrome overtook Internet Explorer as the world’s most popular web browser in 2016 and continues to rise in market share. This browser has fast performance and is infinitely expandable. You can download Google Chrome here.
Firefox is currently ranked #1 by Tech Radar as a best browser for speed and security. Blokt has step-by-step instructions to set up Firefox for optimal privacy and security. You can download FireFox here.
Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 10. It is very fast and a much more secure than its predecessor Internet Explorer. If you are using a Window 10 operating system, Microsoft Edge should already be installed on your computer.
For your security and a better online experience start using Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari (for Apple devices), Microsoft Edge, Tor, or Opera as your web browser. Your data security and web browsing experience will be much improved if you do!
