PWB security?

[GF]

I use IE6 for most of my browsing. Much as I hate most Microsoft bloatware, IE does its job pretty well.

However it's also a major virus/worm/trojan target. If I need to to go a site that I don't entirely trust, I want something that doesn't present all of IE's weaknesses.

I've used OffByOne in the past, but it's a pretty limited browser. PWB1 looks like a good solution. (PWB2 would be better I'm sure, but at this point I don't want to spend $40 for something I use very seldom.) Is it reasonably safe from Javascript worms &etc? I assume it wouldn't be vulnerable to IE-specific problems like specific buffer-overflow bugs, but I'm wondering how safe it is to use in questionable environments.

Thanks!

[GF]

Actually after looking at the script, I wonder if PWB *IS* vulnerable to IE bugs. The Support page says you must have IE5.5 or better to run PWB. Does PWB use a bunch of IE's libraries? If so, it's probably got many of the same security holes as IE...

[spragers]

GF,

PWB is not designed as a security program. It is intended to be used in conjunction with other security measures and/or "tweaks" - but, it does do an excellent job at what it is designed for - providing a secure and customizable interface to the Internet Explorer program. It can prevent users from saving files to local drives, changing most all IE settings, etc.

For a personal use browser it wouldn't be my first choise, but in a public setting it's invaluable

[GF]

Ah. So it *is* just a front-end to IE. Which means it is subject to some/all of IE's bugs and flaws. OK, then it's not what I'm looking for. I want a small/free browser that supports most websites, but isn't as vulnerable to hostile website attacks as IE. I know of Opera but it doesn't meet my needs for various reasons. Anybody know of other freebie browsers that could be used for untrusted websites?

Thanks!

[Les]

I use Mozilla at home... might want to give it a try.