US Gov't Says DO NOT Use Internet Explorer

[Jonbo298]

THE US GOVERNMENT has sent out a warning out to internet users through its Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), pleading users to stop using Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Following a malware attack last week which targeted a known flaw in IE, like so many other attacks, the US-CERT recommended using alternative browsers thanks to their increased security. Microsoft is hurriedly trying to increase IE's security with the Windows XP Service Pack 2, but it's not fast enough for many.

In a vulnerability note released by US-CERT, it says "there are a number of significant vulnerabilities in technologies relating to the IE domain" and that "it is possible to reduce exposure to these vulnerabilities by using a different web browser." Well, they're right.

The latest "extremely critical" IE bug has still not been patched by Microsoft

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=16922

Well, if you haven't figured it out by now, don't use IE. Someone had a hack out that could've been launched into a super worm/super attack on the internet because they used a simple backdoor in the hole to attach a file to alot of IIS servers (don't ask me what IIS means..im not sure at the moment) and when you went to a popular website, it redirected really quick to a russian server that (when using IE only), installed a little piece of malware on your computer and when this server got enough computers ready/zombified, it was gonna launch a MAJOR attack against the internet because this exploit is really easy to do and they did say it was seen present on a search engine and other things (if needed, ill try and get the other article). So it was gaining steam really fast because of the relative easyness of it. And with Microsoft being lazy on getting this very critical patch out, who knows.

BUT...they had tracked down where the server that was getting this all ready was in Russia and the ISP shut it down thus preventing something major from happening. But the exploit can still happen.

So everyone, please consider using an alternate browser. Something like Mozilla, Firefox, Opera..just about anything besides IE

[Typhoid]

So, do we delete IE, or just dont run the program?

Im not too worried, i think i've had that happen to me, but i use Firefox now...

[GameMaster]

The only people I know who use IE are grown-ups and young kids. Both generally aren't very computer-savy. Oh also, one of my friends uses IE, I'll have to help him.

[Jonbo298]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

So, do we delete IE, or just dont run the program?

Im not too worried, i think i've had that happen to me, but i use Firefox now...

Just don't use IE until MS gets a patch out fixing this

[Dyne]

I used to use it; still do for my FTP. It works well.

When I switched to Firefox I didn't really notice any big differences but this justifies the switch now.

[Jonbo298]

Yeah..I only use IE if a site is very poorly coded or for ftp'ing into things since it works best. But I haven't used IE for normal browsing in quite a bit just because of the uncertainty of security vulnerabilities and the damn popups (at least until SP2)

[manasecret]

I use IE exclusively. It's simple, it works for practically all websites, it doesn't add a bunch of extra features that I don't want or need; it simply does what I want at all times.

I build my own computers, if that's savvy enough.

I've never had security problems, and I've been using broadband for at least four or five years. Knock on wood I suppose.

Pop-ups never got on my nerves that much. I just right-click and close. And stopped looking at porn.. And since I got the Google searchbar which is free and includes a free pop-up blocker, I've had zero problems.

I don't see why everyone hates it so much.

[Null]

Originally Posted by manasecret

I don't see why everyone hates it so much.

i dont see how you dont. its old. it doesnt have the new options that should be standard now *coughtabbedbrowsingcough* its got more holes then swiss cheese.

to put it bluntly, its a pile of ****.

not to mention Opera and Firefox are faster than IE, much more customizable.

google searchbar adds spyware. and popups never bothered me much either but its so much easier just never seeing a popup again (even on porn sites). i NEVER get a popup on firefox and even if i did it wouldnt open a new program. just a new tab that i prolly wouldnt even notice anyway.

plus sometimes when using IE it can install stuff on its own with out telling you. even with turning security up.

[Hero2]

I personaly dont have a problem with IE. IE is just a big sign with a target painted on it.


P.S.
Has anyone else noticed that porn servers are the fastest and best servers out there. >.>

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Null

i dont see how you dont. its old. it doesnt have the new options that should be standard now *coughtabbedbrowsingcough* its got more holes then swiss cheese.

Like I said, I don't need a bunch of new options. I like the simplicity. And tabs in one place are the same as tabs in another place, to me.

to put it bluntly, its a pile of ****.

Your mom!

not to mention Opera and Firefox are faster than IE, much more customizable.

How do you notice that? I never notice how long IE takes to load a page, unless it's a slow site.

google searchbar adds spyware. and popups never bothered me much either but its so much easier just never seeing a popup again (even on porn sites). i NEVER get a popup on firefox and even if i did it wouldnt open a new program. just a new tab that i prolly wouldnt even notice anyway.

It's spyware that you don't have to accept. Just change the options. And thus the rest of your argument is NULL!!1!

plus sometimes when using IE it can install stuff on its own with out telling you. even with turning security up.

Since when? I know you're probably right, but I don't have all these problems that everyone mentions. Or at least if I do, they don't ever bother me or my computer.

I just don't get what everyone complains about. I use Norton anti-virus, have hardware firewall, run Ad-Aware every blue moon, and I'm happy.

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Hero2

I personaly dont have a problem with IE. IE is just a big sign with a target painted on it.

I agree, even if you're being sarcastic.

IE is only so vulnerable because everyone uses it. If everyone used MoZilla or Opera or Inter**** Explorer or whatever, I think they'd find just as many vulnerabilities.

[Ace195]

Exactly, I use IE and I consider myself very internet/computer/networking/computer programming/ whatever savvy. I just have grown usted to it and don't feel like changing, I mean I know that there are better faster and more easily accessed programs out there. But when it comes down to it I like this best because It came with my computer and there was no download time, I suppose if I loan hero2 my laptop again and it had firefox on it I'd use that. But until that day happens... Meh to you good sirs!!



*poof* *vanishes*

[Joeiss]

Is Netscape okay? I find when I use IE I get a lot of pop-ups... Netscape has rarely any.

[Jonbo298]

Originally Posted by Joeiss

Is Netscape okay? I find when I use IE I get a lot of pop-ups... Netscape has rarely any.

Netscape is ok also. Its just Mozilla with a different skin.

[Danchastu 4.0]

I use Crazy Browser. Based off IE but blocks all pop-ups, allows tabbed windows, and has a bunch of other settings I don't bother with.