View Full Version : Serious security flaw found in IE
Users of the world's most common web browser have been advised 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 is investigating the problem and preparing an emergency software patch to resolve it, it says.
Internet Explorer is used by the vast majority of the world's computer users.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7784908.stm
CapnGimp
12-16-2008, 07:47 PM
Internet Explorer is used by the vast majority of the world's computer users.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7784908.stm
Not by the SMART ones.
OPERA.
gurly2356
12-16-2008, 10:42 PM
IE is all I've ever used..how do I switch?
FasterNow
12-17-2008, 12:40 AM
IE is all I've ever used..how do I switch?
Download one of the other browsers and start using. I use Firefox which is free. Sounds like you can get Opera free now too, take a look at http://www.opera.com/browser/ .
gurly2356
12-17-2008, 11:11 PM
Hoping maybe someone will read this & know how to fix it.
I just switched from IE to FireFox and I use a Logitech wireless mouse. On the side of the mouse they have the little buttons to go back a page or forward a page. Well those don't work now using Firefox, but still does on IE. I'm just wondering if there is settings or something I have to change?? The little roller thing on it still works for Firefox just not the forward & back buttons.
I'm going to keep IE if there is no way to make the mouse work.
ChesBay
12-18-2008, 12:37 AM
Here is a link to the download for a security patch that Microsoft issued today :
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-078.mspx
2jazzyjeff
12-18-2008, 12:50 AM
I'm running Windows Vista and tried both downloads for it and get ''the update does not apply to your system''. :thinking:
After further reading I think my system is not affected by this threat..:doh:
Fresco
12-18-2008, 01:12 AM
Hoping maybe someone will read this & know how to fix it.
I just switched from IE to FireFox and I use a Logitech wireless mouse. On the side of the mouse they have the little buttons to go back a page or forward a page. Well those don't work now using Firefox, but still does on IE. I'm just wondering if there is settings or something I have to change?? The little roller thing on it still works for Firefox just not the forward & back buttons.
I'm going to keep IE if there is no way to make the mouse work.
This looks like a known compatibility problem with Firefox and some Logitech mice. This page on the Mozilla Firefox site has links to updated drivers and step-by-step instructions to try to correct the problem.
http://support.mozilla.com/en/kb/Mouse+buttons+do+not+work+as+Back+and+Forward
lynnifer
12-18-2008, 11:55 AM
David and I had both of our bank accounts broken into. Both of us are pretty smart and wouldn't succumb to spam or phishing. We were then thinking it had to be our wireless ... but it's secured ... so we couldn't figure it out. The bank wouldn't give us any information but said this is new to them.
We zeroed in on a virus called 'infostealer.gamepass' and got rid of it.
David refuses to go back into online banking now. I've been doing it for more than five years and am not going to let one incident stop me.
It was some 'Peter Popoff' character and he tried to get $1500 from me and was unsuccessful (thank goodness for being overdrawn for once - lol!). They were successful in obtaining $975 from David ... it was returned two days later by the bank. It the meantime, I took the full brunt of his frustrations ... men!
This must have been the way ... through Internet Explorer. We can't think of anything else.
Being close to Detroit, some poor lady was out front a week later with a model jeep all hooked up to a computer and David shewed her away as he's now highly suspicious of anyone with a laptop out and about nearby. He was even after a neighbour kid!
lynnifer: i read & actually saw on TV that they are making clone sites ..so when you punch in your username / password then hit the submit button...you are sending your info straight to them..before you fill out your details make sure it is the legit site..
I think the clone websites happen when you open an email with a link that you think is from your bank. I use Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/) with some extensions that make it more secure. I recently added NoScript (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722) which prevents clickjacking (http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-168.htm) and will help with clone websites. NoScript can be a little frustrating when you start using this extension but if you go to the Notifications tab and uncheck "Show message about blocked scripts" this will turn off the warnings. After that, when you are on a website that you trust just click "Allow all this page." Now this webpage will be in your trusted zone and you will not have to go back and do the "Allow all this page" again.
lynnifer
12-18-2008, 10:10 PM
The bank suggested we open a window, actually type in their web address to do business, and then close the browser when we're finished. I just used to keep it in my favourites ... can someone actually alter the address within my favourites???
Regardless, I'm no longer using IE. I absolutely refuse to. I haven't liked any of the other browsers besides Google Chrome, but hotmail won't work in it.
The bank suggested we open a window, actually type in their web address to do business, and then close the browser when we're finished. I just used to keep it in my favourites ... can someone actually alter the address within my favourites???
Typing the URL in the address bar, as your bank has suggested, is secure. When you are finished, log out of your banking account and then close your browser. If your computer has not been compromised, then your favorites (bookmarks) should be safe and sound.
rbdeli
01-06-2009, 06:17 PM
Bob;969219]Users of the world's most common web browser have been advised to switch to a rival until a serious security flaw has been fixed.
Yet another reason to go Apple! ;)
HeathQuad
01-07-2009, 03:21 PM
I think the clone websites happen when you open an email with a link that you think is from your bank. I use Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/) with some extensions that make it more secure. I recently added NoScript (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722) which prevents clickjacking (http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-168.htm) and will help with clone websites. NoScript can be a little frustrating when you start using this extension but if you go to the Notifications tab and uncheck "Show message about blocked scripts" this will turn off the warnings. After that, when you are on a website that you trust just click "Allow all this page." Now this webpage will be in your trusted zone and you will not have to go back and do the "Allow all this page" again.
DNS 10 working with Firefox now? I would like to switch.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 works with Firefox. I can pretty much surf CareCure hands-free.
HeathQuad
01-07-2009, 08:24 PM
GreatI will give that a try tomorrow. I did not realize it was working with it now. Thanks for the heads up.
shahgols
01-24-2009, 02:59 PM
IE itself is a security flaw. Please people, if you are using IE, switch, it's easy to download and install an alternative. Just do it, you will be more secure and your browsing will be faster and more enjoyable.
rybread
01-24-2009, 09:34 PM
Another perk with Firefox it it will tell you when you're about to enter a phishing site. I that warnings several times which has saved my butt.