Serious flaw in Internet Explorer (Patch now released)

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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:47 pm

Quote:

Serious flaw in Internet Explorer not fixed yet (AP)

Posted on Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:40PM EST

SAN FRANCISCO - Users of all current versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser might be vulnerable to having their computers hijacked because of a serious security hole in the software that had yet to be fixed Monday.

The flaw lets criminals commandeer victims' machines merely by tricking them into visiting Web sites tainted with malicious programming code. As many as 10,000 sites have been compromised since last week to exploit the browser flaw, according to antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc.

The sites are mostly Chinese and have been serving up programs that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold for money on the black market. However, the hole is such that it could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals for more serious mayhem — that's a big fear right now," Paul Ferguson, a Trend Micro security researcher, said Monday.

"Zero-day" vulnerabilities like this are security holes that haven't been repaired by the software makers. They're a gold mine for criminals because users have few ways to fight off attacks.

The latest vulnerability is noteworthy because Internet Explorer is the default browser for most of the world's computers. Also, while Microsoft says it has detected attacks only against version 7 of Internet Explorer, which is the most widely used edition, the company warned that other versions are also potentially vulnerable.

Microsoft said it is investigating the flaw and is considering fixing it through an emergency software patch outside of its normal monthly updates, but declined further comment. The company is telling users to employ a series of complicated workarounds to minimize the threat.

Many security experts, meanwhile, are urging Internet Explorer users to use another browser until a patch is released.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Stupid Micro$oft.

That's why I use Firefox.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

me too

hubby is raving about stumble upon

but I've just found one of the kids is using IE on their laptop, soon to be sorted

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:37 pm

nany can you point me to fire fox for noobs Laughing

please thank you

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

google firefox
install
use

you can transfer your bookmarks from IE
it takes a while to get out of the habit of clicking the big red X in the corner to close windows but its basically the same as IE
but better
and cudllier

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:53 pm

thank you nanny bow_down

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:54 pm

Not to mention FF has a lot more add ons that are great for baiting, the best possibly being Gmail Manager. It will allow you to check all your gmail accounts on the bottom of the FF window at one click and see if any of them have responses. Very helpful tool.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:56 pm

Google Chrome is also very good, fast and very straightforward to use.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:59 pm

ok now im confussed should igo for this or that i need a K I S S one for noobs Embarassed

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:01 pm

My mum loves Chrome!! If she hasn't used the computer for more than 2 days I have to switch it on for her!!

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

Cant really comment on Chrome, always meant to look at it
I know that you dont need to uninstall IE to use firefox so its possible to have both on your machine

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:07 pm

Spudz wrote:

My mum loves Chrome!! If she hasn't used the computer for more than 2 days I have to switch it on for her!!

Thats me my kids call me fossell
my wife is allways up me cos i have to many things open
No not my fly (for the smart asses)

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:19 pm

@ Skyhook, go to www.mozilla.com/firefox/ to find Firefox, Google can take you places where they will charge you for it, or sign you up for something.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:32 pm

Chrome isn't perfect, it still has a lot of bugs, we are tested it on office.
+1 for Firefox Smile

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:34 pm

~ Roycropper,

thanks i like what im reading about it so far
im thinking of loading it onto my old puter to get a feel for it and if i like it load it on to my newer one Laughing

i only have my wifes handmedowns Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:25 am

FF should run fine on just about any pc, even a hand-me-down Wink

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:34 am

WHATS THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN THE US AND BRITISH VERSION??

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:35 am

Spellings, such as colour/color

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:43 am

OW like woolyjumpers/kangarroos Wink

hum should i go for blue or blew Laughing

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:08 am

Regarding what OD said, I don't know how I ever baited using Gmail without FF's sweet, sweet Gmail Manager add-on. It makes life so much easier now!

I use a combination of FF and Chrome. I can't remember a time when I used explorer voluntarily for just such reasons.

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:22 am

ok its loaded now i have to unlearn my old ways and relearn firefox way typing

ow it better all ready it seems quicker. And the emoticons dont go away so i can get more than one with out haveing to find them again

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:29 am

Firefox is tops, FoxTor, Exif Viewer.. jees, dunno where I'd be without it. IE is a pile of old ladies pants by comparison!

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:32 pm

I use firefox, But I would also reccomend "google-chrome" for those less 'technical' people...

(This is coming from a firefox fan Cool

)

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:41 pm

You mean someone out there still uses IE? Shocked

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:35 am

I'm a techtard so I have no opinion. However I'm sure some of you Firefox folks will have plenty to say. (BTW, I use Firefox and IE equally)

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/111811

Please discuss.[quote]

can i say i have loaded ff .
not because of news reports but because i wanted some thing better for my gmail we will see if it is better for a fossell nob like me ok im going to fly my kite (12 meters of it )so im a young at heart fossell Laughing

hope i dont get winded again Embarassed

nope didnt wind my self but my kites got a large ffffffff rip in it Crying or Very sad

2 ripped kites i one week :yikes:

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