Internet Explorer & HTML

[casbahdance]

Well, I have a question about both, separately, but they actually are kinda related! At the risk of exposing myself for the rank web ignoramus that I am, here are my questions:

1) INTERNET EXPLORER:

I have "heard" that explorer is not the best option for sending secure information (passwords, cc transactions, etc). If this is true, what is better (and how much is it gonna cost me)?

2) HTML

We have HTML format at work, so I have the same options of text modification (fonts, italics, etc) as I do in MS Word. At home, I'm set for plain text, but I have an HTML option, so I'm thinking about changing to HTML.

Again, I've "heard" that HTML can leave one more exposed to viruses, etc (all those bad things!) than does plain text. Is this true? If this is true, and if I decide to go with HTML, what kind of security features should I add and how much is it gonna cost me?

Thanks for your help!

Deborah

[Asim]

I have "heard" that explorer is not the best option for sending secure information

Pedantically speaking, it's more that it has, historically, been attacked heavily, including the kind that can keep track of where you go, and what you type. But some of that is in the nature of Windows, as well, which is why Vista (the latest Windows version) has been such a huge deal with it's security improvements (and annoyances!)
Myself, I use Firefox, which is free and has a pretty good track record for fixing security issues. But, again -- if you have the wrong type of virus, or other computer break-in, no browser, no matter how secure, can help.
Layer your defenses. Get a good firewall, virus checker, spam checking, etc. Not saying the Internet is unsafe, but I am saying that, just as you'd not walk a dark street at night with your money hanging out, so too should you protect your PC against those who'd do you harm.

I can point to a few sources for info, if you're interested? I've been doing this techie stuff for *mumble**mumble* years, which doesn't mean you should listen to me! Just that I can try to point you to some places to help you get a tight grip on the issue. :)

We have HTML format at work, so I have the same options of text modification (fonts, italics, etc) as I do in MS Word.

Confused -- are you talking about email? If so, what email program are you using? I assume Outlook?

[petgecko]

Best advice for protection from computer viruses:
DO NOT download attachments from -anywhere- that contain the extension ".exe"
95% of all computer viruses are spread by people that automatically click "ok" without paying attention to what they're agreeing to let their web browser or email program download to their computer. (these are called "Trojan viruses" after the Trojan horse, becuse they require action by the victim to get them to work)
As far as HTML or Plain Text email: A lot of legitimate companies use HTML-formatted email to show you photos of their products, and allow you "clickable" links to their web sites. Just make sure that you know where you're clicking to, and that the link is not a download link (your email program will ask you if you want to download, if it is.. don't let it!)
Best bet, do not open email from anyone that you do not know, and even if you do know them, it's still a good idea to type in any addresses, rather than just clicking the "click here" link.