Major flaw revealed in Internet Explorer; users urged to switch

[celeb_2006]

Major flaw revealed in Internet Explorer; users urged to switch : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech

The major press outlets are abuzz this morning with news of a major new security flaw that affects all versions of Internet Explorer from IE5 to the latest beta of IE8. The attack has serious and far-reaching ramifications -- and they're not just theoretical attacks. In fact, the flaw is already in wide use as a tool to steal online game passwords, with some 10,000 websites infected with the code needed to take advantage of the hole in IE.
Virtually all security experts (as well as myself) are counseling users to switch to any other web browser -- none of the others are affected, including Firefox, Chrome, and Opera -- at least for the time being, though Microsoft has stubbornly said it "cannot recommend people switch due to this one flaw." Microsoft adds that it is working on a fix but has offered no ETA on when that might happen. Meanwhile it offers some suggestions for a temporary patch, including setting your Internet security zone settings to "high" and offering some complicated workarounds. (Some reports state, however, that the fixes do not actually work.)
Expedient patching or switching are essential. Security pros fear that the attack will soon spread beyond the theft of gaming passwords and into more criminal arenas, as the malicious code can be placed on any website and can be adapted to steal any password stored or entered using the browser. It's now down to the issue of time: Will Microsoft repair the problem and distribute a patch quickly enough to head off the tsunami of fraud that's about to hit or will it come too late to do any good?
Meanwhile, I'll reiterate my recommendation: Switch from Internet Explorer as soon as you can. You can always switch back once the threat is eliminated.
Links for other browsers to try: Firefox Chrome Safari Opera

[McJag]

Scary! Just follow the directions? Will this change anything on my computer? You are dealing with an internet beginner here! Thank you for teling us.

[yoyoma]

Scary! Just follow the directions? Will this change anything on my computer? You are dealing with an internet beginner here! Thank you for teling us.

Pretty much...i just recently switched to Firefox and it`s a godsend...

[Butterfly]

Firefox is the bomb! IE sucks always has always will.

[McJag]

So no regrets? And how do I get rid of the old one?

[msdeb]

Pretty much...i just recently switched to Firefox and it`s a godsend...

so did i, just a couple of months ago, i love it!

[Glitter]

Firefox user here too, it is great I love it.

[sputnik]

does anyone even use explorer anymore?

[Beeyotch]

I know, haven't used explorer for years. Firefox is so much better.

"Microsoft cannot recommend people switch" yeah, cause they can't admit their browser sucks ass and has major security flaws!

[qwerty]

I can't stand explorer and gave it up when Firefox first came on the scene. I've always found explorer to be really slow and unreliable.

Now that my Firefox got screwed up, I'm using Opera which is an acceptable but not superior alternative.

[taymarie]

Before I switched to a Mac I only used IE. Didn't know any better. I don't know if I like my Mac as a whole so much better than a PC, but I do think Safari is so much better.

[Aella]

IE sucks donkey balls.

I've had Firefox for years, and I love it!

[yanna]

I only use Exploder at work anyway. No gaming there. At home I use Firefox and Opera, they work just fine. Chrome isn't bad either.

[WesCAdle]

Firefox is so much faster especially when you're trying to get concert tickets or last second bids on ebay.

[chartreuse]

does anyone even use explorer anymore?

i do. at work. and, it completely sucks.