German Government warns against using IE 6,7,8

[Strong]

I know a lot of you are into web design and certainly surfing, so I guess you should be aware of this article:


The German government has warned web users to find an alternative browser to Internet Explorer to protect security.

The warning from the Federal Office for Information Security comes after Microsoft admitted IE was the weak link in recent attacks on Google's systems.

Microsoft rejected the warning, saying that the risk to users was low and that the browsers' increased security setting would prevent any serious risk.

However, German authorities say that even this would not make IE fully safe.

Article: BBC News - German Government warns against using IE (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8463516.stm)

[pctec]

I haven't used IE since FF 1.0 :)

[Muddy]

I only use it to access my MLS since it's not compatible with FF and to get Windows updates.

[Strong]

I use FF predominantly, but there are some sites where I still have to use IE, few and far between though.

[Brian]

I was first introduced to Firefox by a fellow team member when I worked for phpBB in 2004 and I haven't looked back since. I've recently downloaded the new Google Chrome for Mac but haven't really explored it.

[pctec]

Were you a young genius?

[Brian]

Nah, just too much time on my hands. I was on the support team even though I don't know PHP. Tell me how that worked eh :P

[Doc]

Thanks, Strong! I've been using FF now for years, but I still have to use IE (6) to check my page designs.

[Muddy]

Nah, just too much time on my hands. I was on the support team even though I don't know PHP. Tell me how that worked eh :P

Like me bein' a mod at V7. Go figure!

[vectro]

I guess this goes hand-in-hand with Germany's center to fight botnets: Germany to set up centre to coordinate fight against botnets - The H Security: News and Features (http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Germany-to-set-up-centre-to-coordinate-fight-against-botnets-880077.html)

[Strong]

The French have joined in as well now.

Article: BBC News - France joins Germany warning against Internet Explorer (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8465038.stm)


France has echoed calls by the German government for web users to find an alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) to protect security.

Certa, a government agency that oversees cyber threats, warned against using all versions of the web browser.


But Microsoft told BBC News that IE8 was the "most secure browser on the market" and people should upgrade.

Cliff Evans, head of security and privacy, said that so far the firm had only seen malicious code that targeted the older version of its browser, IE6.

"The risk is minimal," he said.

[Doc]

"most secure browser on the market" :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Brian]

I'm not sure if it's the most secure browser currently on the market or not, but given it's history I don't know how anyone could trust such a statement
:jaw:

[Zap]

Oh! Did I say "most secure browser on the market"?
I meant "most secure Microsoft browser on the market".
Sorry 'bout the mixup.

[Doc]

Oh! Did I say "most secure browser on the market"?
I meant "most secure Microsoft browser on the market".
Sorry 'bout the mixup.

Or perhaps he meant to say, "most secure Microsoft browser on the market, as pertains to exploits specifically focusing on the D138r25 kernel of the GUI"

[Strong]

Truth is stranger than fiction. I had to quote that bit cos it seemed so absurd!

Talk about spin, that would make any clear thinker dizzy.

[vectro]

I switch all of my customers to FF if they don't use it already. They take me on my word over Microsoft that's more secure than IE.

[Strong]

It seems a patch is available for the whole in IE:

Article: BBC News - Microsoft patches Internet Explorer hole (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8469632.stm)

[ewomack]

Using IE is kind of like farting backwards...

[Brian]

Microsoft just needs to start from scratch in regards to IE. The thing is and always has been a POS... you'd think they would learn.

[pctec]

I wish there was a patch available for all the screw ups in my life Strong :D

[Strong]

There is one, its called valium :sqwink:

[Cryren8972]

There is one, its called valium :sqwink:

I'll take two please

[Strong]

Don't get into that habit :sqbiggrin:

[Cryren8972]

Does two denote a habit?

[Muddy]

Two habits?

http://i41.tinypic.com/2q0or5f.jpg

[pctec]

I just might go to hell over these thoughts...

[krisma5]

I only use it to access my MLS since it's not compatible with FF and to get Windows updates.

You can get an addon for FF that you can switch the outgoing id to IE still using FF and the other program will not know the difference.

When I find the link I'll post it.

[Muddy]

You can get an addon for FF that you can switch the outgoing id to IE still using FF and the other program will not know the difference.

When I find the link I'll post it.

Are you serious? That would be great! Thanks!

Will it display properly though...that's the issue...in FF the font is different and the format is wacky.

[krisma5]

Are you serious? That would be great! Thanks!

Will it display properly though...that's the issue...in FF the font is different and the format is wacky.

Yeah I use it all the time, and it works great.
Here's the link. (https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/10909)

[Muddy]

Ist auf Deutsch!

[krisma5]

I tried to find it in english but, from my side, no go.
name of the addon : Coral IE Tab

[Muddy]

I found it in English and installed it but my MLS website still knows I'm not using IE. Warning pops up saying I'm not using the recommended browser and when I go forward, the font and format are wrong.

[krisma5]

what is a MLS website and what do you use it for?

maybe I can look around for something special.

[Muddy]

MLS = Multiple Listing Service. Real estate.

[krisma5]

MLS = Multiple Listing Service. Real estate.

Here (http://thewichitacomputerguy.com/blog/how-login-paragon-4-mls-firefox) is one that I found. Don't know if it's the right thing but maybe.

[Muddy]

Thanks but there's a ton of different MLS software out there. Each association chooses to pay for what we like best. We use Solid Earth - Home (http://www.solidearth.com). Naturally the area we use is not right on their website, it's like a backdoor assigned to each association. It's that database and the tools within that don't display properly in FF. It's no big deal, I have it set as my homepage on IE cause it's the only place I go on IE. Click the IE icon and I'm there. The only problem is FF is my default browser so if I click a link to the MLS somewhere, it opens in FF. I just c & p the link. I guess it'll work until SolidEarth makes their stuff compatible with FF...if they ever do...been years now.

[krisma5]

Sorry I couldn't help. Maybe they will get around to living in the today (or tomorrow) and not yesterday, and fix up their systems. There's always hoping!

[Doc]

Sorry I couldn't help. Maybe they will get around to living in the today (or tomorrow) and not yesterday, and fix up their systems. There's always hoping!

Not likely, in the near term, I'm afraid. MS very aggressively markets to enterprises and OEMs, and sweetens the pot a LOT, to make sure they stick with IE. I would imagine that's why they still have such a large market share. Without that, I suspect they'd be trailing Mozilla.

[krisma5]

I understand that tactic, but wouldn't it make more sense to make the availability to all user browsers and thus get MORE clients?

But then again, I could be wrong and they (MS) makes up ($) for the clients that are miffed.

[Doc]

I think money is only a small part of it, really. Probably more important to them is a tight control on the share of the market that they do hold.

When a company like McDonnell Douglas, Walmart or Target decides to upgrade across the company, you're talking seven figures, easy. And that's after they give them a 55 or 60% "preferred" discount. But having companies like that on their client list gives them tremendous leverage, in a lot of different ways.

[ewomack]

It's all about who owns who and who controls what. At those levels money isn't as big of a factor. Everyone's filthy rich there. After money comes power.