Microsoft says Firefox not a threat to IE

By Munir Kotadia, News.com
Posted on ZDNet News: Nov 11, 2004 6:54:00 PM

At a security roundtable discussion in Sydney on Thursday, Ben English, Microsoft's security and management product manager, told attendees that IE undergoes "rigorous code reviews" and is no less secure than any other browser.

"Because IE is ubiquitous, you hear a lot more about it, but I don't think that Internet Explorer is any less secure than any other browser out there," English said.

Steve Vamos, Microsoft Australia's managing director, agreed, saying he does not believe IE's market share is under attack following the recent high-profile debut of the Mozilla Foundation's Firefox browser.

Vamos said that although he has heard other people mention the competitive threat posed by Firefox, he doesn't see it as a problem.

"I'm not sure that that is the reality. I have seen comments around that, but there is nothing I can refer to that really supports that," he said. Instead, Vamos said, consumers need to be educated about all the features already offered by Microsoft's browser.

"We probably need to do a bit of work to communicate the features that are in IE," he said.

Vamos, who admitted he has never used Firefox, said there is a lot of hype surrounding the open-source movement and that if Microsoft's customers wanted new features, they would have told the company about it.

"I don't agree that just because a (competing) product has a feature that we don't have, that feature is important," he said. "It is not. It is only important if it is a feature the customer wants. There are plenty of products out there with features we don't have. We have plenty of features that our customers don't use.

"If there are features in our products that are subpar or need to be added, then I have great confidence that we are an organization that responds pretty quickly and effectively to that."

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For web developers WinIE is a disaster

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IE needs to add Tabbed Browsing Prognosticator   | 11/11/04

Opera has more robust than both IE and firefox rschror   | 11/11/04

Huh? John E Wahd   | 11/11/04

Opera isn't free without ads nucrash   | 11/11/04

Well.... hal9000mx   | 11/11/04

Cisco reference GregSalts   | 11/11/04

Poor Opera Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

Try this seosamh_z   | 11/11/04

Like a Mercedes with... libertyaikido   | 11/11/04

Firefox Slower? htotten   | 11/11/04

Only thing slower than ie is konqueror. Spoon Jabber   | 11/12/04

IE needs to add Tabbed Browsing - Ditto! bonedaddy29   | 11/12/04

IE - works for me CodeBubba   | 11/12/04

Me too ! workit@...   | 11/12/04

Not bragging rob weller   | 11/12/04

Correct! workit@...   | 11/12/04

IE needs to add Tabbed Browsing mel@...   | 11/12/04

You kidding... FreeBSD   | 11/11/04

You[re] kidding... CodeBubba   | 11/12/04

Who's kidding who? raven1_z   | 11/12/04

Typical Microsoft Garbage sigmascape   | 11/11/04

Check your facts.. ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

Likewise rschror   | 11/11/04

Facts are facts ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

SP2 even more part of the problem. sigmascape   | 11/11/04

M$ marketing Strategy/ Stacking! saphil@...   | 11/12/04

I did nucrash   | 11/11/04

re: I did Chipper1963   | 11/12/04

We the people dumb ass! rschror   | 11/11/04

SP2 is a release, not an update saphil@...   | 11/12/04

IE 7 will be available in 2007 (as part of Longhorn). B.O.F.H.   | 11/11/04

Re: IE 7 will be available in 2007 richdave   | 11/11/04

Linux at Parity with Windows? htotten   | 11/11/04

Market superiority needed saphil@...   | 11/12/04

Super. sigmascape   | 11/11/04

Well, it is nice... hal9000mx   | 11/11/04

Only for XP DarthRidiculous   | 11/11/04

Fact is TechDiva_z   | 11/12/04

You're a "tech"? workit@...   | 11/12/04

Are we M$ slaves? Aleks58   | 11/16/04

Typical Microsoft Garbage CodeBubba   | 11/12/04

Typical Microsoft Garbage jof   | 01/28/05

Oh, so Microsoft customers know all possible features they would like???? DonnieBoy   | 11/11/04

Donnie, Donnie, Donnie..... hal9000mx   | 11/11/04

You missed the point Joe Blow_z   | 11/11/04

Yes, hopefully, with a critical mass, more will start hearing about Firefox DonnieBoy   | 11/12/04

what kind of market share does FireFox have.. saphil@...   | 11/12/04

FireFox has it! Kinda raven1_z   | 11/12/04

Right now, almost NO Microsoft users know about TABS DonnieBoy   | 11/12/04

You have a hard time asking saphil@...   | 11/12/04

Features CodeBubba   | 11/12/04

Let Microsoft keep thinking that way hiwong   | 11/11/04

What does Microsoft have to gain? mgordon_z   | 11/12/04

They are sounding more like IBM every day RoyBatty   | 11/22/04

I find this hard to believe John E Wahd   | 11/11/04

I'm sure they'll... ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

Wow... John E Wahd   | 11/11/04

He's right Shade. If you make blanket statements like Laff   | 11/11/04

No where does he use the term no or none. ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

Shade is correct, it was not stated that NO customer wants Tabbed Browsing GregSalts   | 11/11/04

Tabs better than taskbar or Alt-Tab switching zen_dogen   | 11/11/04

Alt-tab switching? TechDiva_z   | 11/12/04

Their own usability studies??? sbrown3   | 11/28/04

There was a time when I would have agreed tic swayback   | 11/11/04

Tabbed Browsing htotten   | 11/11/04

Excuse the feeble attempt at humor ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

Touche' John E Wahd   | 11/11/04

Certainly IT_User   | 11/11/04

The point is simple. ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

Something neither you nor I know IT_User   | 11/11/04

steady Mozilla march over the past twelve months... ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

And at worst IT_User   | 11/11/04

Not today but.... hal9000mx   | 11/11/04

Anyone who cared enough would find out... Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

The majority does not know what they are missing sigmascape   | 11/11/04

My point exactly! ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

But just remember IT_User   | 11/11/04

they meant Ex-MSIE users jwilkinson@...   | 11/11/04

no, i think it may be a correct statement eLurker   | 11/11/04

I find this hard to believe CodeBubba   | 11/12/04

He’s right - maybe it is not a threat but the delayed death penalty. (NT) Vily Clay   | 11/11/04

Usual Microsloth Crap itanalyst   | 11/11/04

IE secure? not a threat? and poor journalism jwilkinson@...   | 11/11/04

You Forget ZDNet Has Vested MS Interests itanalyst   | 11/11/04

No, they're vested IBM interests Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

If people are dissatisfied with IE... John L. Ries   | 11/11/04

exactly saphil@...   | 11/12/04

ZDNet ownership tic swayback   | 11/12/04

Quick research Anton Philidor   | 11/12/04

How can one code test/review IE and NOT do the Laff   | 11/11/04

one more jwilkinson@...   | 11/11/04

Aren't These The Same Guys That Said VHS Would Never Overtake Betamax? itanalyst   | 11/11/04

Bad comparison htotten   | 11/11/04

I thought DarthRidiculous   | 11/14/04

Microsoft doing FF a favour benso   | 11/12/04

That's what they said years ago about Linux. chiishen   | 11/11/04

Amen To That Brother!!! itanalyst   | 11/11/04

I'm feeling bad... ShadeTree   | 11/11/04

Hey don't knock it....means less to carry around..:) Laff   | 11/11/04

Excellent point. sigmascape   | 11/11/04

The big thing with Linux will be.... hal9000mx   | 11/11/04

... and they were right. Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

Yes, and no. chiishen   | 11/12/04

It maybe just me (as it often is) but istn't simply Laff   | 11/11/04

Firefox worth it... DB_z   | 11/11/04

In Other News..... itanalyst   | 11/11/04

Sounds just like Anton Phildor John L. Ries   | 11/11/04

Can't be IT_User   | 11/11/04

definitely not anton Monkey_MCSE   | 11/11/04

Talking about two people at once is confusing. Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

Definitely John L. Ries   | 11/11/04

Reasonable comments. Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

Re: Reasonable comments. none none   | 11/11/04

Good argument... Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

Sounds like you don't the end of easy money voska   | 11/12/04

Money for nothing and... Anton Philidor   | 11/12/04

There's more to it IT_User   | 11/11/04

The future is Firefox the Longhorn voska   | 11/12/04

Why I switched to Firefox Jeffhs   | 11/11/04

Great Review Of Firefox On Wired.Com itanalyst   | 11/11/04

Microsoft says Firefox not a threat to IE AmusedAtItAll   | 11/11/04

Re: Microsoft says Firefox not a threat to IE richdave   | 11/11/04

Personally I don't thing Microsoft cares voska   | 11/12/04

If I Didn't Know Better... jbx233   | 11/12/04

Firefox is more enjoyable and easier to use rgeiken@...   | 11/11/04

Firefox is trim by design tvinson@...   | 11/12/04

I love how MS uses the word 'threat' Unicornrider   | 11/11/04

If it weren't a threat, there'd be no reason to speak about it Monkey_MCSE   | 11/11/04

Should he ignore the question? Anton Philidor   | 11/11/04

I just think he could have answered better Monkey_MCSE   | 11/12/04

Probably an honest appraisal, from what he knew Anton Philidor   | 11/12/04

Not honest, given what he knows. Immanuel Tranz-Mischen   | 11/15/04

Breasy.com (tabs in iE !?) gsoros2   | 11/11/04

Why bother? htotten   | 11/11/04

missing the point gsoros2   | 12/13/04

Not a Threat? wdconner3lyh   | 11/11/04

My company switched to FF Beta ver 7 saphil@...   | 11/12/04

Only thing better than Firefox is Firefox run on Linux Xunil_Sierutuf   | 11/11/04

FF on Linux saphil@...   | 11/12/04

The Fox Runneth compnstuff   | 12/20/04

Mircosoft is dreaming RR_man   | 11/11/04

Microsoft is dreaming CodeBubba   | 11/19/04

Respectable compnstuff   | 12/20/04

One quick fox... TommyTomTom_z   | 11/11/04

MS, I like Mozilla, tabbed browsing is wonderful FilledOut   | 11/12/04

GooOS to take out Softie? anthonycea   | 11/12/04

And I Gotta Bridge in No. MI I'll Sell You Real Cheap tbbrickster_z   | 11/12/04

It's Browser, who cares voska   | 11/12/04

So now make the move to OpenOffice.org saphil@...   | 11/12/04

But in this case.... hion2000   | 12/12/04

MS whistling while passing the graveyard??? MacCanuck   | 11/12/04

Firefox not a threat to IE? dlewis2005   | 11/12/04

Firefox is simply a good browser CobraA1   | 11/12/04

Well, to me, it is. Grayson Peddie   | 11/12/04

I was just wondering about opposing views saphil@...   | 11/12/04

Longhorn bwchato   | 11/13/04

IE is a detriment to your system kht2002   | 11/12/04

Of course Firefox is not a threat to IE FooManShoe   | 11/12/04

re : Microsoft says Firefox not a threat to IE JasonL31   | 11/12/04

and wasn't there recently some sort of anti-trust case saphil@...   | 11/12/04

IE is even worse for developers rob weller   | 11/12/04

Firefox--the choice of this 6 computer household daniellita@...   | 11/12/04

Tabbed Browsing andrebranchaud@...   | 11/12/04

wish list rob weller   | 11/12/04

re: wish list Grayson Peddie   | 11/12/04

Yes rob weller   | 11/12/04

Tabbed browsing and multiple home pages sfjanis   | 11/12/04

So they think..I changed JMARIEC   | 11/12/04

I think MS is standing in front of a Bazooka!!! mohitmoudgil   | 11/12/04

Why I'm not using firefox, but hate IE nitrusoxide13   | 11/13/04

desktop search? CobraA1   | 11/15/04

Firefox and Google Desktop Search mgordon_z   | 11/15/04

google on firefox cool01   | 12/13/04

Try this spaztech@...   | 02/19/05

Titanic Mistake for IE mtn2top   | 11/13/04

firefox, ie and others sunnya527   | 11/13/04

Thanks! spaztech@...   | 02/19/05

M$ is obviously fooling themselves supoman   | 11/13/04

Why want they add features, then ka4nmx@...   | 11/13/04

You're still running 9x on workstations? spaztech@...   | 02/19/05

Internet Explorer bwchato   | 11/13/04

"and is no less secure than any other browser" BitTwiddler   | 11/13/04

This is really good news. Immanuel Tranz-Mischen   | 11/14/04

Windows Update compnstuff   | 12/20/04

"The features"? Your kidding, right Microsoft? maxmejias@...   | 11/15/04

Firefox just a MS wanna be ahkjmu@...   | 11/16/04

You mean like they stepped on Netscape? Linux? Java? spaztech@...   | 02/19/05

Microsoft says Firefox not a threat ... ttocsmij   | 11/16/04

MS discontinued support for IE kiwi704   | 11/17/04

It sucks beafeater   | 11/18/04

Where Have I Heard This Before? bonafide49   | 11/19/04

Firefox Rules!! bonafide49   | 11/19/04

The greatest threat to IE is... gypkap@...   | 11/19/04

Firefox? No thanks. CodeBubba   | 11/19/04

Firefox? No thanks. xptlyrz@...   | 11/26/04

Firefox? No thanks.? spaztech@...   | 02/19/05

microsoft and the "threat" thebigkc   | 11/19/04

I agree hion2000   | 12/12/04

Firefox is crap ahkjmu@...   | 11/23/04

Firefox is crap xptlyrz@...   | 11/26/04

Didn't know someone could be so misguided hion2000   | 12/12/04

firefox vs IE flyjumper   | 12/10/04

Tabbed browsing miler528@...   | 12/12/04

Why is this article still running? dl@...   | 12/17/04

Firefox-Overrated Junk Nemesis2All   | 12/26/04

Netscape Doin the Trick Just Fine, Thank You Blampins   | 12/27/04

Internet Explorer Suddenly Closing bobnliz4   | 12/29/04

Firefox perrydad44   | 12/30/04

Firefox is MOST DEFINITELY a threat RLGallagher   | 12/31/04

Microsoft = Ostrich Brutus_z   | 01/02/05

FireFox not a threat........ jjmoss7375   | 01/02/05

Okay so microsoft is blind.! voodooman65   | 01/09/05

Im not the smartest one out here . . . but jeesh! Nientech   | 01/10/05

about IE... watermomy   | 01/24/05

Fair warning Mr. Bill jof   | 01/28/05

Microsoft Lives in a PC Ivy Tower Bion_z   | 02/10/05

vamos says public would let them know hoboks   | 02/12/05

Microsoft sites require using Internet Explorer spaztech@...   | 02/19/05

Protest Too Much TommyTomTom_z   | 02/21/05