The Apple-developed Safari is one of the least popular webkit-based browsers on Windows. Even so, it still commands 5% marketshare (across all platforms), and that is a problem. You see, many sites are reporting that Apple has dropped support for Safari on Windows. Windows users will not get the update to Safari 6–the new version available to Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.7 Mountain Lion users. As well, it seems that Apple has removed just about every reference to ever having a Windows version of any Safari browser from its website.
Image Credit: MacLife
The issue is that the final version that Windows users are stuck with–version 5.1.7–has a number of documented security vulnerabilities that are never going to get patched by Apple. According to Maximum PC, there are at least 121 known security holes listed in Apple’s own documentation. And as time goes by, it is extremely likely that the number of unpatched security holes will increase. Running an outdated browser is not good security practice, and running a browser that is EOL and has known vulnerabilities is just asking for trouble.
While the number of PC Perspective readers running Safari for Windows is likely extremely small, I would advise that you be on the lookout next time you are doing tech support for your friends and relatives, and if they managed to get roped into using Safari thanks to Apple’s Itunes software updater convince them to move to a (dare I say better) more secure browser like Google’s Chrome, Opera, or Firefox. At least those are still getting updates, and some are even automatically done in the background.
Have you ever used Apple’s Safari for Windows browser? What would you recommend as the best alternative? Let us know in the comments below.
I’ve used Safari on Windows,
I’ve used Safari on Windows, but only for testing website designs. The fact that the keyboard commands are different from just about all the other major browsers was enough to make me hate it, even in my relatively brief time using it.
I’d recommend Chrome or Firefox as a replacement. Chrome might offer the least friction for a switch, since it uses the same rendering engine as Safari.
Agreed Chrome or
Agreed Chrome or firefox.
Safari on windows was never bad I’ve used a few times, it just was never as good as firefox, chrome or even opera. But I think it was better than all but the most recent versions of IE.
Heck, I don’t even use safari on osx anymore,
I switched to Safari because
I switched to Safari because I don’t like Firefox, Chrome, or IE and Opera kept freezing my system up. If I were forced to choose, I’d be hard pressed, but might go with Chrome. Opera has been my favorite by far for years, but it is too processor heavy for little netbooks. I’d rather stay with Safari, but with more than 100 security issues, I think I’ll be moving along.
I use Firefox and Chrome. I
I use Firefox and Chrome. I have been starting to use Safari and love the Reading List feature. Too bad they are scraping Safari for Windows users. Having used Safari, I would pick it over the others if it could have synced my info.
I used Firefox until it got
I used Firefox until it got bugged with the babylon-search worm and I had to spring-clean my computer. Firefox has done nothing to correct the problem, and I together with many other users, sent Firefox back to its rotten nest. I used Chrome for a while but I hate, really hate and am totally disgusted with Google forcing on me local websites and useless local ads. Can’t accept that shovel down your throat attitude from Google. Never will buy anything advertised there just for that. Principle question. Then switched to Opera, and it forced my system down to snail pace. So I use a combination of the above, hoping that one day, someone will take the Safari path and offers internet users a really good, reliable browser, that will not anymore force us to choose plague over cholera.
Thumbs down to Microsoft, reducing Apple to a gadget. SHAME on anyone curtailing our rights to their greed.
Have you considered that you
Have you considered that you might have a problem with malware, not necessarily with any browser in particular?
Replying to ase_reports
You
Replying to ase_reports
You struggle a lot in life don’t you.
I installed Safari for
I installed Safari for Windows to test my site’s compatibility with it. The minute I installed it I wasn’t very keen on it. Adding tabs was hard and there wasn’t any developer tools,then after reading this article I am just going to test my site’s compatibility.
safari is the one of best web
safari is the one of best web browsers i have ever used no need to add additional plugins,support downloading of torrent files,it is very sad to know stop the support for safari,unfortunately i forced to use other browsers ,
are u nuts?
plugin support in
are u nuts?
plugin support in safari is shit. Firefox and Chrome has many plugin for their user.
and judging by your comment about torrent proves that you’re fking nuts!
everyone has his/her own
everyone has his/her own choice, stop calling people nuts just because they like safari better than other browsers. I like safari because it is light and fast. Asshole
really bad news, i like
really bad news, i like safari for windows bcaz i can save thousands of web-pages without scattered web files. also really good loading speed on low net speed firefox is really weak to load websites on low speed.
I still use Safari 5.1.7 – it
I still use Safari 5.1.7 – it works well and, as a miracle, contains very few defects (features without off-switches) or bugs (code errors).
The ‘security” holes are only an issue if you are careless (pardon me, read STUPID) enough to not use a good firewall and control scripts.
The fact that Apple has (had) an application free of Nanny’isms (google and Firefox have over 100 defects each now that they refuse to address) is remarkable enough that I use it a LOT.
“A feature without an off switch is a defect”
It’s unfortunate that Apple
It’s unfortunate that Apple has ceased support and update for Safari on non-OS computers. I have a Windows computer which is occasionally borrowed by an Apple user. They would prefer using Safari rather than Firefox, Chrome or IE.
Same here… Safari is the
Same here… Safari is the only way I can access all my emails. Yeah, I use Pale Moon, but, I’m not a PC person, never have been til my siblings thought I needed to be. Thank goodness I have an iPad… I cruise on it, read emails, etc more than this damn PC that was created for over logical computer geeks, not the artist.
There seems to be less pop up
There seems to be less pop up crap on safari.
Safari is beginning too
Safari is beginning too develop problems with my Win 8 OS. Slowing down, plug in recognition for videos and so on.
i love using Safari,
i love using Safari, really.
so smooth and smart, easy browsing. unlike others like chrome and firefox they put more on the browser to make it look good but not the experience tho’.
apple do something.