16 December 2008

Flaw in IE: same old same old

Is this the zillionth time I have seen this type of story?

According to BBC, Microsoft is warning users of a security flaw in its internet browser.

"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.

Question: if you start using another browser whilst MS fixes this problem, how many do you think will jump back to IE once they are given the all clear?

Just wondering ... how many will go back to IE once they have eaten the forbidden apples of the browser world?

Sigh, given the number of I only know how to use IE folks I know, I'd say quite a lot.

Oh hoo hooo!

I just reread the article. I thought someone has mentioned switching browsers, given how this is highlighted as a bit of a nasty affair. But read on for the MS recommendation.

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.

Charming. User safety obviously comes first.

2 comments:

AzMyst said...

"one flaw"!??? That cracked me up! ROFL! I have to agree with him... it's just one flaw, you shouldn't switch browsers just because of that one, single, easily patchable flaw in an otherwise "perfect" product. heheheh...

The sad thing is that most users who use IE won't ever even know about the threat. :) Ignorance is bliss.

Aktief Kulture said...

Ye, and if you think about the number of people who do internet banking ... no, no, there is nothing to worry about.