Re: Browsers and OS's

[Jeni Li <jeni.li () ASU EDU>]

My experience with Firefox update notification has been pretty spotty too. It tells me updates are available when I've 
already applied the updates; it tries to download theme/plug-in updates and fails; it tosses up messages that an end 
user might find confusing. I prefer Firefox hands-down for every situation except those few obnoxious IE-only sites -- 
two words, AdBlock and RIP -- but if keeping it updated on non-technical end users' systems is the goal, not so much. 
Unless maybe you're in an environment where you can push out software updates using GPO or something.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jason Richardson [mailto:A00JER2 () WPO CSO NIU EDU]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 12:10 PM
> To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
> Subject: Re: [SECURITY] Browsers and OS's
>
>
> That is incorrect, I see a message roll up from the bottom right hand
> side of the browser window notifying me that updates are available. 
> Then I click on the red icon in the upper right hand corner 
> to download
> and apply the updates.  I am running the latest ver. (1.0.7) 
> but it has
> done that for several versions now.
>
> ---
> Jason Richardson
> Manager, IT Security and Client Development
> Enterprise Systems Support
> Northern Illinois University
>
> > > > lbrooks () CS FSU EDU 10/4/2005 10:29:39 AM >>>
> The only notification that Firefox gives that it needs to be 
> updated is
> a
> red icon in the upper right hand corner of the tool bar. It is easy to
> miss.
> In fact I usually will miss it unless I have seen a notification for
> updates
> on one of the security mailing lists. 
>
> Louis Brooks
> SAIT Labs
> Florida State University
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stephen W. Bradley [mailto:bradlesw () MUOHIO EDU] 
> Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 11:18 AM
> To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU 
> Subject: Re: [SECURITY] Browsers and OS's
>
> Firefox has the option to periodically check for updates.
>
> I have personally never seen it work but it is under:
>
> Tools
> Advanced
> Software-update.
>
>
> I leave mine checked all the time.
>
> steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Justin Sipher [mailto:jsipher () SKIDMORE EDU] 
> Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 10:49 AM
> To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU 
> Subject: [SECURITY] Browsers and OS's
>
> Folks,
>
> Hello.  I would welcome feedback/insight on an issue we are  
> discussing.  It relates to browser world and *potential* security  
> concerns.  In a nutshell, there is a belief that a browser tied to an 
>
> OS (IE for Windows, Safari for MacOS) allow for better security  
> because of the ability through the OS to let the users  (a) know when 
>
> there is an update to the browser and (b) assist with the download/ 
> install.  The challenges is that we also want to use Firefox for a  
> variety of purposes and there doesn't appear to be a way (on Firefox  
> for any OS) to have similar functionality.  So, the **real** concern  
> is someone downloads Firefox and is using it.  Then after time new  
> versions come out, the end user doesn't (a) know about it and (b)  
> doesn't actually do the upgrade and then we have a potential security 
>
> hole.  Firefox for "techies" isn't the concern, it is the use by the  
> common person that has some concerned.
>
> Has anyone else on other campuses talked about this and have insight  
> as to how you have or have not addressed the issue.  Are there ways/ 
> systems out there to aid in this process?
>
> Thanks,
> ...Justin
>
> _______________________________________________________
>    Justin Sipher
>    Chief Technology Officer
>    Skidmore College
>    Saratoga Springs, NY
>    jsipher () skidmore edu 
>    518-580-5909
> _______________________________________________________