If you almost never use Internet Explorer [use Mozilla/Firefox/Thunderbird] except for some Microsoft downloads, that only work with IE.

Is it necessary to keep downloading IE Security updates ??

In other words, is a IE vunerability "open" if IE is installed BUT not used ??

My primary Microsoft OS is Win98SE and I get "periodic" IE updates through Big Fix and frankly I'm not sure what "path" Big Fix uses for their downloads. So I don't know if I'm using IE for these downloads or not !!

I still install all of Big Fix's updates, but I wonder if it's really necessary.

Hi Bob!

No, it's not. The only time that Internet Explorer is vulnerable is when you are surfing the net with it. If it is not booted it is in no danger. HowSomeEver.... if you even occasionally use MIE to download, then it IS vulnerable, and those security patches can save you lots of headaches.

ranchhand,

Thanks for response and sort of confirming what I thought.

That is not always true.

There was one huge security hole that left the system open if IE was just installed - not being used to surf. The update came out over a year ago. I remember ranting about that one, but am not at home so cant give you the specifics.

efabes,

Big Fix comes out about monthly with a "batch download" of what it calls "security updates".

For anyone interested, Big Fix is available here.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download677.html

There is no indication of what specifically is being downloaded, BUT I figure it's better than nothing.

Now that I have a "Mozilla version" of Micro Trend's virus scan, I have no need for using IE.