Germany issues Explorer warning

By Daniel Emery

Technology Reporter, BBC News

The warning applies to versions 6, 7 and 8 of Internet Explorer

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.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/technology/8463516.stm

Published: 2010/01/16 19:24:56 GMT

LaoPo

That's just great... NOT! Is this valid? Is Firefox the fave these days, in light of this?

Good on Germany. I have not used, or should say haven't been able to use IE for years. It is way too bulky and unstable. Firefox is the Macintosh of internet surfing these days in terms of security and stability. Google Chrome might be the next big thing once IE finally goes away and the black hats focus their attention on FF. Even when I reload Windows from time to time and I have to use IE breifely before I install FF, it crashes, hangs or is so dam_n slow because of all the add ons that come with it that it drives me crazy!

RIP IE

Edited January 17, 201016 yr by ScubaBuddha

I hope MS sues the German Gov't for 100 million dollars. For libel slander & defamation.

German govt's Microsoft Internet Explorer warning

January 17th, 2010

London, January 17 (ANI): The German government has warned against the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer after finding a security flaw that leaves it susceptible to hackers.

Microsoft admitted recently that Internet Explorer was the weak link in recent attacks on Google's systems.

However, they claimed that the solution lies in setting the browser's Internet security zone to "high."

Now, the Federal Office for Information Security, or BSI, has suggested surfers to find an alternative browser to protect security.

Graham Cluley of anti-virus firm Sophos the problem exists in 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," the Telegraph quoted him as telling the BBC.

He added: "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."

Meanwhile, Thomas Baumgaertner, a Microsoft spokesman in Germany, clarified: "These were not attacks against general users or consumers. There is no threat to the general user." (ANI)

Source: www.thaindian.com

2010-01-17

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

That's just great... NOT! Is this valid? Is Firefox the fave these days, in light of this?

Who figured that out? Mrs. Merkel, or maybe the FDP freak? It’s already well-known that IE sucks, 90% more viruses and other unneeded crap when using IE. Firefox, Google Chrome is cool man……

It's not surprising.

What is surprising is that IE is mandated by many businesses and government institutions around the world. Mainly because of garbage web apps that only run on the completely non-standard IE 6. Why the hel_l would you make a piece of software mandatory that endangers your employees computers and by extension the whole corporate network?!

I hope MS sues the German Gov't for 100 million dollars. For libel slander & defamation.

lmao

It would be funny if governments decided to make software manufacturers liable for damages resulting from use of their products. We might see a miraculous improvement in software quality then.

Yeah yeah yeah... last time the Germans did what their government asked them to do, what was the result?

There are better reasons not to use IE 6/7/8 than risks.

Yeah yeah yeah... last time the Germans did what their government asked them to do, what was the result?

There are better reasons not to use IE 6/7/8 than risks.

Such as?

I hope MS sues the German Gov't for 100 million dollars. For libel slander & defamation.

lmao

For it to be defamation or slander, it must not be true. (Except in Thailand)

question for you techies. i use Firefox exclusively. I have IE on my computer, does this still mean I have a security risk or do i have to open and use IE for it ? maybe a silly question but you never know

I used Firefox for years. But I got a new puter tand windows didn't want me to load/update Firefos, so I went to Explorer. Are there issues with Firefox and Vista (he asked knowingly)?

I used Firefox for years. But I got a new puter tand windows didn't want me to load/update Firefos, so I went to Explorer. Are there issues with Firefox and Vista (he asked knowingly)?

Over 2 years on FF with Vista and no problems.

Deactivate Javascript and be "sure"... . Only IE occurs the problem by chinese hackers. MS will publicate a security-bulletin today.

Good on Germany. I have not used, or should say haven't been able to use IE for years. It is way too bulky and unstable. <snip>

I've no idea why you haven't been able to use it. It works.

Bulky and unstable? Never heard it described like that before.

I used Firefox for years. But I got a new puter tand windows didn't want me to load/update Firefos, so I went to Explorer. Are there issues with Firefox and Vista (he asked knowingly)?

Over 2 years on FF with Vista and no problems.

same-same

LaoPo

Good on Germany. I have not used, or should say haven't been able to use IE for years. It is way too bulky and unstable. <snip>

I've no idea why you haven't been able to use it. It works.

Bulky and unstable? Never heard it described like that before.

It's slower to open, slower to load pages, allows pop ups through, hangs and crashes easily and has horrible security when compared to FF. I hate IE with a passion.

http://whyiesucks.blogspot.com/

http://www.iesucks.info/

http://www.catswhocode.com/blog/15-amazing-anti-ie-resources

http://www.lockergnome.com/news/2004/06/15...ernet-explorer/

http://geeks.pirillo.com/group/iesucks

http://www.kenwooi.com/2009/07/internet-explorer-sucks.html

http://www.reenactor.net/main_htmls/why_ie_sux.html

http://soreeyes.org/archives/001077.html

http://amplicate.com/sucks/ie

http://www.crashie.com/ (Don't visit this one with IE, it will probably crash)

Edited January 21, 201016 yr by ScubaBuddha

I used Firefox for years. But I got a new puter tand windows didn't want me to load/update Firefos, so I went to Explorer. Are there issues with Firefox and Vista (he asked knowingly)?

I use IE on new Windows computers: I fire it up, then enter google ctrl-return in the address bar, then I enter "download firefox" in Google.

That's all it's ever used for though

I also like Chrome, managed to install some sort of flash block on it and after that it works a little bit better than FireFox IMO.

Good on Germany. I have not used, or should say haven't been able to use IE for years. It is way too bulky and unstable. <snip>

I've no idea why you haven't been able to use it. It works.

Bulky and unstable? Never heard it described like that before.

It's slower to open, slower to load pages, allows pop ups through, hangs and crashes easily and has horrible security when compared to FF.

<snip>

I can assure you that my Firefox takes much longer to start up than IE, but I don't give a dämn how long it takes as long as it does what it is supposed to do. And as I have 87 extensions loaded in Firefox, I can excuse it for taking 30 seconds to get going.

IE has a pop-up blocker - look under "Tools".

IE8 has never hung or crashed on me, although I don't use it much to really test it.

Yes, IE has security problems which are targeted by the people who write malware. As Firefox becomes more popular, it is also being targeted.

I use IE8 for some banking sites which don't work well with FF and have been using Firefox since 2005, so I'm not a M$ lover but this hysteria over IE is just that - hysteria.

Anyone who is using an older version of IE should upgrade to IE 8. If you can't because your o/s isn't legal, som nam naa.

Use Firefox anyway. Although, if you're not going to install any extensions, you might as well use something else - the whole point of Firefox is the extensions.

I have made just good experiences with fire fox anyways, much better than with IE. Its faster, more safety and its more convenient to handle for sure.

Also used chrome for some days but it didn't sattisfy me. Maybe you need more time to get used to it, since it is quiet different from IE and Firefox...

Firefox is now loaded and working just fine for me on Vista. Thanks for the tip and thank you Germany. Golly, wonder why I never heard anything on the US news?

I even tried to D/L a fix from microsoft and came up with dust and crickets.