German government warns against using MS Explorer

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    German government warns against using MS Explorer


    Posted: 16 Jan 2010
    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.

    Microsoft says the security hole can be shut by setting the browser's security zone to "high", although this limits functionality and blocks many websites.

    However, German authorities say that even this would not make IE fully safe.

    Speaking to BBC News, Graham Cluley of anti-virus firm Sophos said the warning applied to versions 6, 7 and 8 of the browser.

    "This is a vulnerability that was announced in the last couple of days. Microsoft have no patch yet and the implication is that this is the same one that exploited on the attacks on Google earlier this week," he said.

    "The way to exploit this flaw has now appeared on the internet, so it is quite possible that everyone is now going to have a go."

    Microsoft traditionally release a security update once a month - the next scheduled patch is the 9th of February. However, a spokesman for Microsoft told BBC News that developers for the firm were trying to fix the problem.

    "We are working on an update on this issue and this may well be involve an out of cycle security update," he said.

    Fix development

    However, this is no easy task. Not only have the firm got to fix the loophole, but they have to ensure it does not create another one and - equally importantly - works on all computers. This is a challenge compounded by the fact they have to fix three different versions of its browser.
    Microsoft said that while all versions of Internet Explorer were affected, the risk was lower with more recent releases of its browser.

    The other problem facing developers is that the possible risk might not be prevented by anti-virus software, even when recently updated.

    "We've been working to analyse the malware that the Chinese are using. But new versions can always be created," said Mr Cluley.

    "We've been working with Microsoft to see if the damage can be mitigated and we are hoping that they will release an emergency patch.

    "One thing that should be stressed is that every browser has its security issues, so switching may remove this current risk but could expose you to another."
    more
    Posted By: swarfega
    16 Jan 2010



  1. Posts : 15
    Microsoft Windows Seven
       #1

    I am using Mozilla Firefux and it's really cool.
    I think that Goverment of German is too sensitive to respond that.

    http://www.vektanova.com/2009/06/fri...d-twitter.html
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #2

    If I were worried about every potential security "hole" in any PC software I would not be on the internet period or have e-mail. Every OS (including the Apple OS') have potential security issues.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,127
    Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).
       #3

    This is unprecedented surely? A government suggesting people do not use a specific browser. Mind you, why on earth would anyone want to use IE
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,470
    Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition
       #4

    i was just gonna say don't we always recommand people use an alternate browser just as well.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 328
    W7 Pro 64
       #5

    I really don't understand why anyone would use IE to begin with. Most other browsers have better features and Ff finally got that memory leak issue resolved. just the bookmark syncronisation that FF has so that I can sync my bookmarks at home and at work is enough reason not to use IE.

    unfortunately some applications (Honeywell building automation system) use some of the non-HTML standard IE features and I have to use IE for those.

    And I don't even think IE8 is so less secure. All browsers have leaks and fix them. I'm sure MS is working overtime to fix that. The real problem is, that people still use old IE 6 or 7, or old FF etc. Using one of those is so much less secure than using IE8 with that one leak. Considering browsers are free, I really don't understand. It is either noobs that use IE 6 or conservative IT managers that "need to try everything out before they have the users use it". Our IT department recently deployed IE8 as the new "internet access software" as they called it (since we are too stupid to know what a browser is they need to use that kindergarten language). Cool, I had FF and IE8 whenever they came out and install it regardless of if IT likes it or not.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 136
    Windows 7 RTM x86
       #6

    IE8 and Chrome have Protected Mode support. But Firefox has no such features. Plus the default Firefox UI is very very ugly. That's why I don't use Firefox. IE8 and Chrome 4 are awesome browsers.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 383
    Black Label 7 x64
       #7

    pezzonovante said:
    IE8 and Chrome 4 are awesome browsers.
    Now that we know that major google attack went through IE, and not Adobe, you cannot make that claim for IE. Even if they used IE6, MS itself said IE8 and IE7 are vulnerable to the same security hole, although it's difficult to exploit it (gee, what confidence, MS.) I'm not a hacker so I don't know how difficult, but this is a big fat mess for MS.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,127
    Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).
       #8

    IE8 and Chrome have Protected Mode support. But Firefox has no such features. Plus the default Firefox UI is very very ugly.
    Wow, what is PM support? Have to disagree about FF having an ugly UI
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Home Premium - 32-bit Version
       #9

    manhunter2826 said:
    Mind you, why on earth would anyone want to use IE
    Agreed. Especially since there's an IE add-on for Firefox.
      My Computer


 
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