Thursday, 23 February 2012
Why browser security study lacks credibility
Why browser security study lacks credibility
By Bill Brenner, CSO | Dec 14, 2011
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PrintI'm a Google Chrome user and should be happy about a newly-released study that declares it more secure than Firefox and Internet Explorer. But I have one big problem with this study.
It was funded by Google.
The report notes this, but makes the following justification:
Readers should understand that, while Google funded the research for this paper, Accuvant LABS was given a clear directive to provide readers with an objective understanding of relative browser security. The views expressed throughout this document are those of Accuvant LABS, based on our independent data collection.
I'm sure Google did give Accuvant free reign. But I can't help but wonder: Had the researchers found that Internet Explorer was the most secure and Chrome the least, would Google have gracefully stepped back, allowed the findings to come to light and then offered a fix-it plan?
I'm highly skeptical.
I would be just as skeptical had Firefox come out on top with the study funded by Mozilla.
The credibility is damaged from the start, in my opinion.
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