Warning to Internet Explorer users...

[Pyan]

I can't believe that the instructions on how to exploit the flaw have been posted on the internet!...

The German government has warned web users to find an alternative browser to Internet Explorer to protect security.

The warning from the Federal Office for Information Security comes after Microsoft admitted IE was the weak link in recent attacks on Google's systems.

BBC News - German government warns against using MS Explorer

 

[The Ace]

Firefox anyone ?

 

[AE35Unit]

Firefox anyone ?

Yea we put Firefox on our machine. Its certainly faster than IE7 but is a lot more basic,and you can no longer block all the ads. Also you can't right click the scroll bars like you can in IE.

 

[drush9999]

If you wanna block ads on Firefox, get the add-on Adblock Plus.

 

[Ursa major]

If I were prone to producing that sort of pun, I'd being concocting a "joke" along the lines of:

"Are those who wish to attack Google using a chink in IE's security?"

Luckily, I don't normally stoop to such puns.


o)

 

[Happy Joe]

First rule of the Internet; nothing is safe/secure...

the attacks on Google were by "highly motivated people with a very specific agenda".

... they couldn't be talking about the Chinese government... nah; couldn't be them.

Enjoy!

 

[Xelah]

First rule of the Internet; nothing is safe/secure...!

Actually, the first rule of the internet is "You do not talk about Fight Club."

 

[AE35Unit]

Actually, the first rule of the internet is "You do not talk about Fight Club."

What the film or the book?

 

[jojajihisc]

What the film or the book?

Neither. The club.

 

[Ursa major]

Talk about what?

 

[Pyan]

Far enough from the subject, people...

 

[Interference]

IE is a disease that you can't even delete. Try it. It comes back every ****i** time.

 

[Pyan]

France are warning people now...

BBC News - France joins Germany warning against Internet Explorer

 

[Shadow Trooper]

Apparently IE8 is supposedly ok (defence in depth etc) - Quote from Microsoft (obviously ), as well as other independant sources.

I guess the problem is that many governments run older versions due to licence costs.

 

[Ursa major]

And it doesn't help when information about how one might exploit the flaw is published.

At least give Redmond, or wherever, a chance to move the flaw elsewhere () before you publish.


(Why do they publish? Is it to say: "look how intelligent I am"? It doesn't persuade me. They might as well get themselves filmed standing in front of a shop window and saying: "A normal house brick won't do the job, but I've discovered that half a breeze block is just the ticket.")

 

[Happy Joe]

And it doesn't help when information about how one might exploit the flaw is published.

Believe it or not there are hacker boards (at least there used to be, I haven't looked in a long time) where exploits, and how to use them are freely discussed, questions answered and advice on how to capitalize on exploits is given). Note; if you enter such a site it is very likely that you will become infected with a virus, worm or root kit.

Exploits are commonly published for two reasons; to gain a reputation, and to give the software companies added incentive to patch the holes.

Just info: China and Google have been fighting for a while now over China's government hackers' attacks on Google trying to get info on dissidents and other suspected state enemies.

Enjoy!

 

[Ursa major]

I've read it was probably part of Google's dispute with China, hence my rather tasteless pun earlier o).

 

[AE35Unit]

Believe it or not there are hacker boards (at least there used to be, I haven't looked in a long time) where exploits, and how to use them are freely discussed, questions answered and advice on how to capitalize on exploits is given). Note; if you enter such a site it is very likely that you will become infected with a virus, worm or root kit.

Well, back in the 90s there sites that showed how to make bombs from stuff in your cupboards so heaven knows what's out there now!