07-10-2017, 10:50 AM
Linux Lite is certainly the best distro for Windows refugees and converts. The GUI is without a doubt the most easily grasped by new users coming from Windows. It is always my first recommendation to people looking for an alternative to MS. I follow the forum here regularly and keep both an up to date 32 and 64 bit LL system for testing and reference, and I burn new dvds regularly of the ISO to stay current for any new users that might come to me with the desire try LL. That said my personal and business systems are Deb 8, Deb 9, and Windows 10. What follows is my opinion about browsers, and some simple common sense assessments of why I recommend them, even though the choices may be boring.
For Linux:
1) Firefox quite simply because Mozilla has the most resources for development and integration with current Linux systems, and is also the most likely to be up to date as far as security for the same reason.
2) Forg if you play with Gopher. Everything else uses insecure addons.
3) Tor if you live outside the US. You may browse anonymously with it, but if you use a major ISP in the US you’ll draw a flag from big brother, and they may decide to monitor everything you do online for a while. Mathematically, ridiculously so, you’re likely to be more anonymous using Windows 10 if you use a major ISP in the US. If you’re a terrorist or a criminal you’re better off with Android and a burner phone.
Other than pure text browsers, and console or forensic browsing, most of the Linux browsers of any ilk are based on Mozilla. Have been for long time now.
For Windows 10
2) the Edge browser for Windows 10 for similar reasons. MS security updates are integrated to it, and often not to alternative browsers. One of the primary sources of infections for a Windows system is the use of alternative browsers, and gaming, music, video and some shopping sites often install browsers as conditions of use opening up ugly security holes in Windows systems. If you use MS, stick with its native system components.
Worth remembering as well in the US, many important web security efforts are driven by MS and it is easy for a regular Linux user to get out of step with some things. Versions of Firefox below 52 do not work on many online banking sites anymore, and some of the so called lighter browsers will fail you there even though you may think they are on pace with Firefox.
TC
For Linux:
1) Firefox quite simply because Mozilla has the most resources for development and integration with current Linux systems, and is also the most likely to be up to date as far as security for the same reason.
2) Forg if you play with Gopher. Everything else uses insecure addons.
3) Tor if you live outside the US. You may browse anonymously with it, but if you use a major ISP in the US you’ll draw a flag from big brother, and they may decide to monitor everything you do online for a while. Mathematically, ridiculously so, you’re likely to be more anonymous using Windows 10 if you use a major ISP in the US. If you’re a terrorist or a criminal you’re better off with Android and a burner phone.
Other than pure text browsers, and console or forensic browsing, most of the Linux browsers of any ilk are based on Mozilla. Have been for long time now.
For Windows 10
2) the Edge browser for Windows 10 for similar reasons. MS security updates are integrated to it, and often not to alternative browsers. One of the primary sources of infections for a Windows system is the use of alternative browsers, and gaming, music, video and some shopping sites often install browsers as conditions of use opening up ugly security holes in Windows systems. If you use MS, stick with its native system components.
Worth remembering as well in the US, many important web security efforts are driven by MS and it is easy for a regular Linux user to get out of step with some things. Versions of Firefox below 52 do not work on many online banking sites anymore, and some of the so called lighter browsers will fail you there even though you may think they are on pace with Firefox.
TC
All opinions expressed and all advice given by Trinidad Cruz on this forum are his responsibility alone and do not necessarily reflect the views or methods of the developers of Linux Lite. He is a citizen of the United States where it is acceptable to occasionally be uninformed and inept as long as you pay your taxes.