Microsoft: Security flaw in Internet Explorer affects 900 million people
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I’m not a fan of Microsoft. As a matter of fact every time I see Bill Gates I think he should be doing more for charity because he left the people with a hunk of crap. Windows and P.C.s in general are grossly unreliable. They work as they should about half the time. The rest of the time they are stuck in the “eternal loop” or plagued by spyware, viruses, Trojan horses, and critters whose names in and of themselves are guaranteed to instill fear in all of us, including H.P. Lovecraft were he still among the living.
So, this latest news comes as no surprise to me. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (MSIE), is, by all accounts, a disaster that marries well with the disaster that is the Windows OS. Curiously, each new iteration brings its own set of unique problems that often surpass the prior build.
Several years ago I got tired of Windows and MSIE. I switched to Firefox first and was pleasantly surprised at its ease of use. Then, after tiring of buying anti-virus software, updating, upgrading and rebooting I switched to APPLE. I couldn’t be happier. I have two iMacs and they work perfectly. I have never had a virus, a hint of a worm, or a Trojan horse. I don’t have anti-virus or spyware because Macs rarely, if ever, get such nasty things. From time to time it will update. Those updates take seconds. The MSOffice for Mac that I have installed however, takes ages to upgrade and it is almost always because of some sort of “security” issue. No surprise there. It is, after all, a Microsoft product.
So that being said, if you want a reliable computer switch to Mac and get rid of that cheesy PC. Here is the latest from Mail Online:
Microsoft has issued a ‘critical’ security alert that affects 900 million people using its Internet Explorer web browser.
The computer giant warned of a newly-discovered flaw in Windows that could be exploited by hackers to steal personal details or take over computers.
The glitch is so severe it potentially affects every user of Internet Explorer.
Security alert: Microsoft has warned of a flaw in Windows that could be exploited by hackers to steal personal details or take over computers. The glitch is so severe it potentially affects every user of Internet Explorer – 900 million people
Microsoft just said that the bug is inside Windows, presumably because they don’t want users to migrate to other browsers.
This means it affects all versions of the operating system currently supported including Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 (R2).
While it works on a permanent fix, Microsoft has issued a security patch to block the bug.
Internet Explorer users are advised that the workaround download ‘is not intended to be a replacement for any security update’.
To download the security advisory head to THIS WEBPAGE.
The company has so far been unable to remove the bug itself and has issued a ‘fix it’ security patch to block any attempts to use it.
All Windows users, particularly those who use Internet Explorer, are being urged to download the patch as the company’s security team work on a way to permanently fix the problem.
The company has described the flaw as a serious threat, although no hackers are thought to have yet exploited the vulnerability.
Microsoft spokeswoman Angela Gunn announced the flaw in a security advisory published online on Friday.
She said: ‘An attacker could construct an HTML link designed to trigger a malicious script and somehow convince the targeted user to click it.
‘When the user clicked that link, the malicious script would run on the user’s computer for the rest of the current Internet Explorer session.
‘Such a script might collect user information (e.g. email), spoof content displayed in the browser, or otherwise interfere with the user’s experience.’
You should know that Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari browsers are all unaffected by the threat because, unlike Internet Explorer, they don’t support MHTML files, where the problem lies.
The loophole only seems to affect the way Internet Explorer handles some web pages.
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Thanks for the warning, but this care is just a scare. There have not been any documented instances of the “loophole” actually being used in any malicious way, and it only effects MHTML-based websites.
The fix is decidedly iffy, I wouldn’t want to install it, you may lose functionality.
I like Macs too, but I object to the way Apple try to control how they’re used and the spare parts.
Just try to build your own Mac.
I’ve used MS based computers since the old DOS 3.0 days, and I’ve only had one virus, caused by my idiot teenage son installing some file sharing software. He doesn’t have administrative rights any more.
Robert you have my attention. I would love to see a post on the advantages and disadvantages of each. Yet another reason why I love the team at MMA….so much experience in so many areas….
Oh crap! I have Internet Explorer on my computer.
Wait, I have to actually be using Explorer for someone to exploit this security hole?
Score. I haven’t been able to successfully use IE on any of my machines since encountering a series of bugs about a year ago. Just never got around to un-installing.
Firefox, 2012!! 🙂
I use FF and Chrome. If anything requires IE I say screw it. I would get a Mac but the bastardos are out of my price range..and to think they are made in China…wtf is up w/that?
Macs are made in China? WTF?? I didn’t know that Dusty. Oh well. I still love ’em 🙂
Yes m’dear they certainly are and that is wrong on every level imho. An HP is also made in China but I could afford one of those when I went to buy a pc a few years ago. I got a top of the line one w/a 17 inch screen and couldn’t even touch the cheapest of Mac’s.
Being an artist I have yearned for a Mac for a long time, due to their superior graphics. But like you said, the insane price differential always makes the decision for me.
I am not sure there is an “insane” price difference. The iMacs are around $1100 depending on the size of the screen and etc. They are also super powerful and there is no pesky “tower.”
Apple 2012!!
Ok, just a quick look at Best Buy, the only game in town here other than Wally World gives you this Michael:
New! HP – Pavilion Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 17.3″ Display / 6GB Memory / 750GB Hard Drive – Argento $1,049.99
Apple® – MacBook® Pro / Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor / 13.3″ Display / 4GB Memory / 250GB Hard Drive – Aluminum $1,199.99
You get the Newest HP on the market, the biggest screen, alot bigger HD 2 gig more Memory..and for 200 bucks less. ok..150 bucks less. Plus, I have no idea how long that Mac has been on the market.
I use iMacs. They are desktops. They are one unit, high speed, extraordinary reliability, free customer service (in America) instruments. You can love your MS computers my dear, and I will continue to love my Apple. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so I’ve heard 🙂
Ahhh…this doesn’t affect us as Firefox users! Let the smugness of shadenfreude commence as I bask in the glow of our superior browser!
I use FF too MH, as Apple’s “Safari” browser, while fast and clean, won’t open full screen. I never understood that! I have Chrome installed as well, but Chrome and Mac don’t get along too well so I stick with FF.
Many PC-using friends are sold on Firefox – they love it’s features and reliability. I’ve been a die-hard Mac fan since the early 1980s; probably from the time I discovered one could fight the Daleks on it! They may cost more up front, but less downtime, fewer glitches and viruses. I’m actually surprised Microsoft is still “upgrading” versions of IE; seemed to me that a lot of online content was no longer formatted for that browser. Will share this with my PC buddies!
Yay!!! A Mac fan!! 🙂
Fortunately, I use internet explorer for only one activities. All others I use Fire Fox and an excellent virus scan program called AVG and have not had a problem since. I know you love you Mac’s Mike buck I love my PC’s/
I was using AVG when my Dell Inspiron crashed. It had picked up a “new” virus that AVG had yet to prepare for. That was the last straw.