Internet Explorer多年来一直有一点信誉问题，有些人更喜欢在他们的系统上禁用它。但是如果你已经禁用了它，你应该继续为它安装安全更新吗？今天的超级用户问答帖子回答了一位好奇的读者的问题。

今天的问答环节是由SuperUser提供的，SuperUser是Stack Exchange的一个分支，是一个由社区驱动的问答网站分组。

问题

超级用户读者Stefan Surkamp想知道是否应该为Internet Explorer安装更新，即使他在系统上禁用了它：

I have disabled Internet Explorer in the “Windows Features” dialog. Nonetheless, Windows Update says that there are security updates available for it.

I am aware that I can not uninstall Internet Explorer, and that it remains on my system. Are there any security issues if I do not install the available updates, or can I disregard all the updates for Internet Explorer?

他应该担心安装Internet Explorer的可用更新，还是可以忽略它们？

答案

超级用户贡献者John和Virtlink为我们提供了答案。首先，约翰：

An operating system is like a table. A browser or other application is like an item on top of the table. Internet Explorer is an application, but it is physically part of the table because of how Microsoft bundled it with the OS.

Even if you do not use Internet Explorer, you really need to install the updates. If a hacker gains entry to your system, they may attempt to abuse a known vulnerability that you could have patched but did not, and then your problem is compounded. Additionally, since Internet Explorer is a shell used by some other browsers and applicati***, if you are using one of those tertiary browsers (such as Maxthon), you would be stuck with an older version of Internet Explorer that renders the pages (even though the interface is something else).

When dealing with vulnerabilities, you need to do a cost/benefit ****ysis. Does the cost of the downtime to install, and any compatibility problems it produces, outweigh the risk or loss incurred from an attack?

接下来是Virtlink的回答：

You should always install updates for Internet Explorer, even if you are using a different browser.

Internet Explorer is very tightly woven into the fabric of Windows. For example, Internet Explorer’s proxy settings, the hosts file, and Windows Firewall are examples of parts of Windows that are intertwined with Internet Explorer. A vulnerability here puts your whole system at risk.

Additionally, as you can not uninstall Internet Explorer, it can run and make your system vulnerable. You do not know when it will run. For example, if you are viewing a Help file (.chm), Internet Explorer is rendering the page for you. Some browsers and other applicati*** use Internet Explorer under the covers to render rich content. Again, a vulnerability here puts your whole system at risk.

安装所有Windows更新总是一个好主意，以帮助保持系统尽可能的安全。安全无忧远胜于非常抱歉，然后从头开始重新安装系统。

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