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Use Internet Explorer? think again...

  • 16-12-2008 3:10pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,983 ✭✭✭


    this was already posted in the Windows forum, but i think it deserves a bit more exposure as many people don't go there. if it's been posted already or not suitable for here, apologies mods.
    Users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer are being urged by experts to switch to a rival until a serious security flaw has been fixed.

    The flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control of people's computers and steal their passwords, internet experts say.

    Microsoft urged people to be vigilant while it investigated and prepared an emergency patch to resolve it.

    Internet Explorer is used by the vast majority of the world's computer users.

    "Microsoft is continuing its investigation of public reports of attacks against a new vulnerability in Internet Explorer," said the firm in a security advisory alert about the flaw.

    Microsoft says it has detected attacks against IE 7.0 but said the "underlying vulnerability" was present in all versions of the browser.

    Other browsers, such as Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Safari, are not vulnerable to the flaw Microsoft has identified.

    "In this case, hackers found the hole before Microsoft did," said Rick Ferguson, senior security advisor at Trend Micro. "This is never a good thing."

    As many as 10,000 websites have been compromised since the vulnerability was discovered, he said.

    "What we've seen from the exploit so far is it stealing game passwords, but it's inevitable that it will be adapted by criminals," he said. "It's just a question of modifying the payload the trojan installs."

    Said Mr Ferguson: "If users can find an alternative browser, then that's good mitigation against the threat."

    But Microsoft counselled against taking such action.

    "I cannot recommend people switch due to this one flaw," said John Curran, head of Microsoft UK's Windows group.

    He added: "We're trying to get this resolved as soon as possible.

    "At present, this exploit only seems to affect 0.02% of internet sites," said Mr Curran. "In terms of vulnerability, it only seems to be affecting IE7 users at the moment, but could well encompass other versions in time."

    Richard Cox, chief information officer of anti-spam body The Spamhaus Project and an expert on privacy and cyber security, echoed Trend Micro's warning.

    "It won't be long before someone reverse engineers this exploit for more fraudulent purposes. Trend Mico's advice [of switching to an alternative web browser] is very sensible," he said.


    PC Pro magazine's security editor, Darien Graham-Smith, said that there was a virtual arms race going on, with hackers always on the look out for new vulnerabilities.

    "The message needs to get out that this malicious code can be planted on any web site, so simple careful browsing isn't enough."

    "It's a shame Microsoft have not been able to fix this more quickly, but letting people know about this flaw was the right thing to do. If you keep flaws like this quiet, people are put at risk without knowing it."

    "Every browser is susceptible to vulnerabilities from time to time. It's fine to say 'don't use Internet Explorer' for now, but other browsers may well find themselves in a similar situation," he added.

    this could be one of the biggest security flaws found in IE for a long long time... or it could be a whole load of anti-Microsoft propaganda. I don't know, or care tbh. just thought it worth bringing to the attention of the masses.


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    tl;dr, I use Firefox ftw.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,564 ✭✭✭Naikon


    Unix based OS's + iptables/pf tbh.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,193 ✭✭✭Turd Ferguson


    Whats a browser?




    /runs off giggling


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,119 ✭✭✭Wagon


    ""I cannot recommend people switch due to this one flaw," said John Curran, head of Microsoft UK's Windows group."

    Prick :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    damn it, that means i will have to delete the browsing history in Firefox now. The wife only uses IE ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,180 ✭✭✭Mena


    There a direct source for this?
    As many as 10,000 websites have been compromised since the vulnerability was discovered, he said.

    seems a little out of place :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16 OmarChase


    tl;dr, I use Firefox ftw.
    ditto!


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 35,946 Mod ✭✭✭✭dr.bollocko


    Who was it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,020 ✭✭✭eVeNtInE


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,046 ✭✭✭eZe^


    Safari fo lyfe


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭aidan_walsh




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,190 ✭✭✭✭IvySlayer


    I use Firefox, so much better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,536 ✭✭✭Mark200


    CHROME!!!!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,480 ✭✭✭projectmayhem


    Mac ftw.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,968 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Opera 9.5 ftw
    


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    IE > Firefox ;)
    


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,536 ✭✭✭Mark200


    Chrome > IE > Firefox
    


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭smellslikeshoes


    What we've seen from the exploit so far is it stealing game passwords, but it's inevitable that it will be adapted by criminals,"
    What so people who steal game passwords aren't criminals?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭towel401


    What so people who steal game passwords aren't criminals?

    no. not unless you're in south korea or holland where they take e-life quite seriously


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 397 ✭✭galwayguy22


    Mark200 wrote: »
    Chrome > IE > Firefox
    

    Chrome is ok but is a little gay looking. Also very new and has very annoying problems. Simple thing like trying to scroll on a laptop touch pad and it goes mental.

    IE > Firefox?

    pah, you must have a fetish for chubby buttons and chubby text. Why in the name of Jesus is the refresh button on the right hand side of the address bar, when for years its been on the left hand side, in every browser. Do they not pay attention to the "laws" of HCI?

    Anything without adblock is not worth my time TBH LULZ!!11!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭ImDave


    eVeNtInE wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    +1. I've been using it since it came out and couldn't go back to IE now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 Wonga


    I started using opera and then firefox a few years ago and could never go back to IE


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Chrome is a bag os ****e. it crashes on me all the time. It's also too similar to IE to bother switching.


    People need to get over the whole "MS is evil and its cool to hate them" crap. If these same hackers put their efforst into hating apple products or any of the other browsers the results would be the same. But of course they wouldnt be "cool" the.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    be sure to take this opportunity to email your loved ones who have to date been too docile to make the switch over from IE.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    Stekelly wrote: »
    People need to get over the whole "MS is evil and its cool to hate them" crap.

    Or maybe it's just because IE is a crappy, non-standards compliant browser the people shouldn't be using?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 397 ✭✭galwayguy22


    Or maybe it's just because IE is a crappy, non-standards compliant browser the people shouldn't be using?

    Unfortunately "normal" people don't care how a website is made or how long it took the developer to cater for every retarded Internet Explorer related bug.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    Unfortunately "normal" people don't care how a website is made or how long it took the developer to cater for every retarded Internet Explorer related bug.

    That's about the height of it. Education ftw.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 bailefionn


    Chrome all the way! Love the simple layout, none of the crap like IE. 9 most viewed pages open all the time is handy too..


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,895 ✭✭✭✭phantom_lord


    chrome is awesome, switched over from opera which i only use for downloading stuff now. it's so quick, reliable, has a nice clean layout, and handy to use. haven't used ie since i had dial up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,350 ✭✭✭skywalker_208


    What is this Internet Explorer you speak of? :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21 bailefionn


    Its what the cave men used :)


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 94,288 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    That patch doesn't work. This one is better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    That patch doesn't work. This one is better.

    For the love fo god why is there still no yawn smilie.


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  • Subscribers Posts: 32,864 ✭✭✭✭5starpool


    When I heard this story first, my reaction was:

    "Internet explorer has a security flaw? They might as well run a news story saying they found Jews in Israel"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    Stekelly wrote: »
    For the love fo god why is there still no yawn smilie.

    Because it would be used by idiots with nothing to contribute to the forum? :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Because it would be used by idiots with nothing to contribute to the forum? :P

    Well that covers you. I however, would have a use for it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    Stekelly wrote: »
    Well that covers you. I however, would have a use for it.

    I know you are but what am I?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    I know you are but what am I?

    7


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    Stekelly wrote: »
    7

    I know you are but... never mind.

    Download Firefox


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    Shill! :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 586 ✭✭✭The Mighty Ken


    javaboy wrote: »
    Shill! :pac:

    Damn. My cover's blown. Back to Mozilla HQ to plot my next dastardly plan.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,928 ✭✭✭✭rainbow kirby


    Firefox + Leopard ftw :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Microsoft has released the new security patch. I still strongly recommend not jumping right back on a browser that just got hacked though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,717 ✭✭✭Nehaxak


    Opera for me. New version 10 is out as an alpha release and is fantastic !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,991 ✭✭✭✭Mimikyu


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,225 ✭✭✭Ciaran500


    This post has been deleted.

    Yep, never found a suitable replacement for FF + addons.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,991 ✭✭✭✭Mimikyu


    This post has been deleted.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 94,288 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Stekelly wrote:
    People need to get over the whole "MS is evil and its cool to hate them" crap. If these same hackers put their efforst into hating apple products or any of the other browsers the results would be the same. But of course they wouldnt be "cool" the.
    IE is the only mainstream browser integrated into the OS so exploits can have greater access than on other browsers
    ActiveX browser exploits are more or less limited to IE

    As for Apple, their users are perceived to be less security aware, don't generally use anti virus and are probably richer, so you would think they would be perfect targets. yet OSX went from 1999 to 2006 before it got it's first trojan.

    Microsoft released an SMB patch last month for a flaw demonstrated in 2000
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/12/ms_patch_tuesday_november


    And it's not about hackers hating M$, these days Spam , Phishing , browser hijacking , botnets and such are big business , it's mostly about the money.


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