when 4ever ends
04/07/05, 09:05 PM
Security issues in Microsoft Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is a very vulnerable browser. It allows many trojan-horses, worms, spyware and adware and other viruses through without the user doing anything wrong or knowing that anything has gone wrong. Recently, millions of IE users had computers which switched off for no reason at all. This was the Sasser worm, which took advantage of a known flaw in IE. Since then, the US Government's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), produced an article which told users to stop using Microsoft Internet Explorer.
This is just some of the controversy surrounding Microsoft and IE regarding security. Many Internet Explorer users are now setting security settings to ridiculous levels, which slows down and stops certain sites from displaying. None of this is necessary. All that is necessary is to switch to a different browser.
Patches and Responses from Microsoft
In fairness to Microsoft, they have released patches for the more serious weaknesses, even recently. However new flaws seem to spring up very often, and computers which have not yet applied patches are still vulnerable.
Microsoft IE - Dangerous
Other known flaws in Internet Explorer enable nasty, viral programs to log and transmit credit card and bank account details. Again, the user may not even know this has happened. They may only have clicked on a link in an email, and their bank account could be at risk.
All versions of IE have dozens of known, serious security flaws, with possibly disastrous implications for individuals and businesses.
No viable responses from Microsoft
Because Microsoft are not going to be releasing another version of IE until their next operating system (called 'Longhorn') comes out, these flaws are not going to be addressed. If there is an international epidemic, MS may release a patch, but only after millions of computers have been affected.
Update: Microsoft have announced a that the next IE will be shipped as a standalone, as early as the summer of this year. They have promised security improvements, but this claim is yet to be proven. Also, this new browser will only available to Windows XP users; so if you're on anything less, or a Mac, you will be left behind.
Don't suffer - Switch from MS Internet Explorer
To avoid getting a nasty virus, losing all your files, or facing a financial crisis at the hands of IE, you should switch to alternative browser today. You'll be increasing your and your computer's security immensely.
www.stopie.com
or click on the get firefox image at the bottom of the sig
Internet Explorer is a very vulnerable browser. It allows many trojan-horses, worms, spyware and adware and other viruses through without the user doing anything wrong or knowing that anything has gone wrong. Recently, millions of IE users had computers which switched off for no reason at all. This was the Sasser worm, which took advantage of a known flaw in IE. Since then, the US Government's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), produced an article which told users to stop using Microsoft Internet Explorer.
This is just some of the controversy surrounding Microsoft and IE regarding security. Many Internet Explorer users are now setting security settings to ridiculous levels, which slows down and stops certain sites from displaying. None of this is necessary. All that is necessary is to switch to a different browser.
Patches and Responses from Microsoft
In fairness to Microsoft, they have released patches for the more serious weaknesses, even recently. However new flaws seem to spring up very often, and computers which have not yet applied patches are still vulnerable.
Microsoft IE - Dangerous
Other known flaws in Internet Explorer enable nasty, viral programs to log and transmit credit card and bank account details. Again, the user may not even know this has happened. They may only have clicked on a link in an email, and their bank account could be at risk.
All versions of IE have dozens of known, serious security flaws, with possibly disastrous implications for individuals and businesses.
No viable responses from Microsoft
Because Microsoft are not going to be releasing another version of IE until their next operating system (called 'Longhorn') comes out, these flaws are not going to be addressed. If there is an international epidemic, MS may release a patch, but only after millions of computers have been affected.
Update: Microsoft have announced a that the next IE will be shipped as a standalone, as early as the summer of this year. They have promised security improvements, but this claim is yet to be proven. Also, this new browser will only available to Windows XP users; so if you're on anything less, or a Mac, you will be left behind.
Don't suffer - Switch from MS Internet Explorer
To avoid getting a nasty virus, losing all your files, or facing a financial crisis at the hands of IE, you should switch to alternative browser today. You'll be increasing your and your computer's security immensely.
www.stopie.com
or click on the get firefox image at the bottom of the sig