ALERT!!!: U.S. advises avoiding Internet Explorer until bug fixed!!!

[Basement Cat]

http://time.com/78828/internet-explorer-microsoft-security-flaw/

"The tech giant is working to fix a bug in its web browser that allows hackers on the same network as much access as a legitimate user. The flaw is particularly hazardous when the software is run from the Windows XP operating system

A flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser could allow hackers access to the personal information of countless millions of web users, especially those still using Windows XP."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/28/us-cybersecurity-microsoft-browser-idUSBREA3Q0PB20140428

"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security advised computer users to consider using alternatives to Microsoft Corp's Internet Explorer browser until the company fixes a security flaw that hackers have used to launch attacks.

The bug is the first high-profile security flaw to emerge since Microsoft stopped providing security updates for Windows XP earlier this month. That means PCs running the 13-year old operating system could remain unprotected against hackers seeking to exploit the newly uncovered flaw, even after Microsoft figures out how to defend against it."

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So, Microsoft's Internet Explorer is now a poisonous trap?

I made this thread basically as a heads-up for others. Has anyone heard about this? I primarily use Google Chrome so I'm not concerned about it but I'm curious if anyone has had problems with Internet Explorer.

Beyond the normal problems with, you know, it being Internet Explorer...

 

[Foolery]

Who the fuck uses internet explorer besides the elderly and computer illiterate?
Seriously. You're asking for trouble if you run that browser.

 

[dyre]

Who the fuck uses internet explorer besides the elderly and computer illiterate?
Seriously. You're asking for trouble if you run that browser.

A lot of companies seem to rely on it (some going as far as banning other browsers). I'm not sure why; maybe a lot of corporate-related websites only work on IE, or maybe IT just doesn't trust anyone to install their own stuff.

Ars Technica publishes stats on worldwide usage of each browser, and IE seems to always have about 40-60% of the browser market.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/09/windows-8-more-widely-used-than-os-x-ie-still-on-the-rise/

 

[Tony Stark]

I know folks who still pretty much rely on IE - folks who don't really know any better, and are hard to explain why something is bad when it seemingly 'works for them just fine'...so it really is a lot more common than you'd think.

Here's hoping this debacle ends soon though - but I sincerely doubt this'll be the last time!

 

[Someone Depressing]

This is hilarious. But in a really morbid way, like finding a dead body in ice, but it's got a funny face of shock and bewilderment. I suppose people, especially companies, would only use IE if neccesary, and I guess it is... somehow.

 

[krazykidd]

Who the fuck uses internet explorer besides the elderly and computer illiterate?
Seriously. You're asking for trouble if you run that browser.

I'm computer retarded, i use internet explorer. I could ask why i shouldn't, but i probably won't understand and keep using it.

OT: i'm from Canada, are we at risk also?

 

[Frezzato]

I find it funny that nobody ever talks about Opera any more, even in security alerts like this.

This is hilarious. But in a really morbid way, like finding a dead body in ice, but it's got a funny face of shock and bewilderment. I suppose people, especially companies, would only use IE if neccesary, and I guess it is... somehow.

I remember SharePoint had some limitations if you didn't use IE. We never used it to anywhere near its potential at my last job, but I guess SharePoint was Microsoft's answer to...uh, SalesForce maybe? It was a good effort, but so freaking slow, and quite ugly.

 

[CyberSinner]

I am a browser sinner, I use Opera and Mozilla. Who still uses I.E.? Seriously I have gotten more malware and viruses using I.E. than I have any other browser. I.E. runs slow, and its a hog. And I still do not understand why computer makers insist that laptops and internal software be run by I.E.

 

[Barbas]

Ah yes, the number one internet browser for downloading another internet browser.

Sucks for the people who use it, though. What is it now, the third time? Must be the third at least.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

Hahaha... Oh, Internet Explorer...

OT: Yeaaahhh, hope that gets fixed. Don't understand why people use it much these days anyways with better options (Though I hear its latest build is ok-ish). That is a pretty insane bug though. How do you even?

 

[Zontar]

Funny thing is, I seem to have an odd streak of luck where Internet Explorer is the better web browser for my laptops then Google Chrome or FireFox are, to the point where sometimes YouTube of all things won't work at all on Chrome but perfectly fine on IE.

People love to joke about IE being so backwards, but at this point it seems more of a joke then something true.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Internet Explorer is again the source of concern when it comes to the security of your computer?

*resumes browsing with Firefox*

 

[Hagi]

For anyone that does have to use IE.

1. Disable Flash
2. Disable Vector Markup Language
3. Install EMET [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2458544]
4. Enable Enhanced Protected Mode if on Windows 8

This should leave you safe and fine.

For everyone else.

1. Disable Flash, there's another 0-day exploit currently doing the rounds. You didn't honestly believe Adobe was any more competent than Microsoft did you?

And now for your fun security fact of the day:

In the recent pwn2own hacking contest the only browser that wasn't exploited was IE11 with EMET installed, despite a 150k award for doing so.

 

[Ubiquitous Duck]

The first thing I install to a new PC, say I started a new job, is a new browser, instead of IE.

Install dat Chrome and let your worries trickle away!

 

[direkiller]

Who the fuck uses internet explorer besides the elderly and computer illiterate?
Seriously. You're asking for trouble if you run that browser.

A lot of companies seem to rely on it (some going as far as banning other browsers). I'm not sure why; maybe a lot of corporate-related websites only work on IE, or maybe IT just doesn't trust anyone to install their own stuff.

It's rather simple.
IE plays nice with all outer things Microsoft(no suprise), so outlook, storage servers become far easier.

 

[dyre]

Who the fuck uses internet explorer besides the elderly and computer illiterate?
Seriously. You're asking for trouble if you run that browser.

A lot of companies seem to rely on it (some going as far as banning other browsers). I'm not sure why; maybe a lot of corporate-related websites only work on IE, or maybe IT just doesn't trust anyone to install their own stuff.

It's rather simple.
IE plays nice with all outer things Microsoft(no suprise), so outlook, storage servers become far easier.

I don't know much about storage servers (though I imagine they don't interface too much with the internet), but does Outlook really need IE? I used to run Chrome off a USB drive at work and Outlook still worked just fine. I have nothing against keeping IE around, but restricting other browsers seems a bit much.

I understand a lot of Microsoft software works well with other Microsoft software, but honestly I think IE is the ugly duckling here.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

Everyone's talking about chrome and I'm just sitting here using Opera 20

A lot of companies seem to rely on it (some going as far as banning other browsers). I'm not sure why; maybe a lot of corporate-related websites only work on IE, or maybe IT just doesn't trust anyone to install their own stuff.

It has to do with support. I work in tech support at my college and supporting multiple browsers can be difficult. Plus, it doesn't matter if 90% of Windows users have Chrome installed on their windows pc's. 100% of them have IE. Its also because its the browser that came with Windows and is the only one supported by Microsoft. Given that most pc's are running Windows, they need MS's "official" support. Even if their browser is crap.

It's rather simple.
IE plays nice with all outer things Microsoft(no suprise), so outlook, storage servers become far easier.

But that doesn't really matter to the average user just browsing the Internet on a public pc. Installing chrome won't suddenly make all the Windows software stop working

I don't know much about storage servers (though I imagine they don't interface too much with the internet), but does Outlook really need IE? I used to run Chrome off a USB drive at work and Outlook still worked just fine.

You can only access the "mobile" version of Outlook from a non-IE browser. IE is the only way to get the "full" version. Not that it matters because the differences are minimal and if you constantly need to manage emails on a pc, your business probably already has the Outlook desktop app installed on your machine

I have nothing against keeping IE around, but restricting other browsers seems a bit much. I understand a lot of Microsoft software works well with other Microsoft software, but honestly I think IE is the ugly duckling here.

That's just how Microsoft does business. Why should they bother competing when they have a monopoly on 90% of pc market? They'd rather force people to use their garbage rather than make it better then accuse a company like Google of having a monopoly because they make services that are both good and free

I'm computer retarded, i use internet explorer. I could ask why i shouldn't, but i probably won't understand and keep using it.

Its not really hard to understand. Popular=targeted. Macs and Linux "don't have viruses" because nobody bothers to make them for their tiny user base. Everyone has IE and a lot of people and especially businesses use it so if you want to steal information, its the place to go

Now I've become this thread's "that guy" who quotes everyone

 

[Ieyke]

Doesn't EVERYONE with half a clue advise against using IE just all the time in general?

Maybe this will help get the world out of the stone ages of using IE.