Internet Explorer Users Warned to Change Browser Over Security Fears

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  • #588899
    Y.W. Editor
    Keymaster

    It is thought that two million computers have already been affected as Microsoft conceded that 1 in 500 internet users may have been exposed.

    Computer users are advised by some security experts to switch to an alternative internet browser, such as Firefox or Google Chrome, to avoid the hackers who have so far corrupted an estimated 10,000 websites.

    Microsoft said that it is considering the release of an emergency update to correct the flaw. The computing company claims that it has only detected attacks on Internet Explorer 7, the most common version of the browser, but gave warning that other versions are also potentially vulnerable.

    The hack was initially devised by Chinese criminals, who have been stealing computer game passwords that can be sold on the black market.

    These threats occur as hackers race against software makers to attack the affected programmes, such as IE, before the known problems are repaired.

    [see below] which would protect you from the vulnerabilities we know today but there could be variations to the vulnerabilities.

    The company is telling users to employ a series of complicated workarounds to minimise the threat. It has been suggested that increasing the internet security zone level to high and disabling Ole32db.dll in the access control list could help protect a computer.

    Some security experts, though, have advised IE users switch to another browser until an update is released. The next scheduled patch is not due until January 13 but it is not unusual for Microsoft to release an emergency patch.

    Microsoft have struggled to build an appropriate patch thus far because the affected component is at the very core of the IE programme and any changes to the central code could cause a number of unexpected side-effects.

    1. Keep your anti-virus up-to-date. Microsoft has circulated the definitions of these vulnerabilities to all the major anti-virus providers.

    2. Reset Internet Explorer to run in protected mode. This is the default mode in Windows Vista but not XP or the earlier versions.

    3. Set zone security to high.

    4. Ensure Windows is updated. You can do this manually through Windows updater or set it to automatic updates.

    More complex and comprehensive approaches are listed on the Microsoft website .

    http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx

    #641410
    mw13
    Participant

    I’d suggest changing to Morzilla Firefox, the fastest and safest web browser, which can be downloaded for free.

    #641411

    how do i download it

    #641412
    Joseph
    Participant

    firefox.com

    #641413

    it didnt let me download it

    #641414

    it let me now….thanx……now what do i do with internet explorer? do i leave it and not use it? hey firefox is cool IE never did spell check in the cr unless i asked it to

    #641415

    i like it—-todah

    #641416
    noitallmr
    Participant

    Nothing like dont have internet- I’m a big fan of theirs. You can download a lot of extras and themes by hitting tools then add ons. Enjoy.

    P.S hold ctrl and scroll up or down…

    #641417
    SJSinNYC
    Member

    my husband loves Opera. It has a bunch of cool features! Check it out at Opera.com

    #641418
    brklyn
    Participant

    you could also use google chrome as an exploder also good

    #641419

    i have firefox now but it wont let me view “plugins”? its usually videos or adds help! how do i view them

    #641420

    thanx -i figured out what to download


    i think it should be a segula- if u dont know how to do s/t u post it in th cr and then badadamp u figure out how to do it alll by yourself

    #641421

    k now i downloaded plugins but now no pic SHOW UP ON MY COMPUTER ANYWHERE HELP!!and no i really cant figure this one out

    #641422
    mw13
    Participant

    dont have internet, try restarting your computer.

    #641423
    noitallmr
    Participant

    “you could also use google chrome as an exploder also good”

    Careful what you write or you’ll have the FBI onto you…

    #641424

    Internet Explorer 8.0 has just been released, which includes a host of security updates. It also runs faster, and cleaner

    #641425

    Thanks for all the wonderful knowledge you are lending the CR within your first 5 min. Nice to have another computer buff here.

    Might be an idea to start a new thread about the Pros and Cons of IE8

    #641426

    No problem – will be happy to do so.

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