Sunday 17 January 2010

German Government Warns Against Using Internet Explorer



The German Office for Information Security (BSI) says Windows operating systems are at risk as a result of security gaps in Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser.

The BSI says flaws in the programme may have been the reason why hackers were recently able to conduct cyber attacks on search engine Google and other US companies.

The BSI recommended against using versions 6,7, and 8 of Internet Explorer on operating systems XP, Vista and Windows 7 until the programming faults had been corrected.

Microsoft said in a statement that damage caused by the security gaps had been limited and that it was working on a series of patches to fix the problem.


7 comments:

Quiet_Man said...

I only use Firefox anyway with the adblock and no-script addons (amongst others). It's the browser of choice for the more paranoid of us ;-)

Stewart Cowan said...

It's Firefox for me too. I'd have a Mac if it wasn't for all my software being for Windows.

Apogee said...

Hi SR
Strictly speaking, this is a renewal of a general warning about M$ browsers and systems.The systems have more holes than a colander.

Not wishing to be an apologist for M$ but a lot of this goes back to the very early days when the purpose was to get a system for office/corporate use with as much functionality as possible.(so I was told many years ago).
And in those days security had not become a problem, and frankly, they did too good a job.
But with improvements in technology and criminal abilities at large, it has been a rear guard action ever since.
Firefox is much better, personally I prefer Google Chrome,for ease of usage.IMHO.
But human stupidity is a big factor in this, go where you should not, do what you should not, always think, when you click on that link, for instance, what else was in that attachment?did you really know where that email came from.
Some security analysts think the original breach into Google's system was a well crafted email and that opened the system to invasion.
Do you have anti-virus software on your system? Being paranoid about net security is a good first step.(yes, they are out to get you!).

D.

subrosa said...

I just thought I should let folk know about this QM. I know my readers are educated about such matters. :)

subrosa said...

Firefox appears to be one of the best Stewart. I use an iMac and Safari but it's not that secure. Have to admit the software is expensive, nothing's free.

subrosa said...

I've always used IE on Windows Keith but I've now changed my Windows emergency laptop to Firefox.

subrosa said...

I've never tried Chrome Apogee. Must have a look.

Yes I have the works on here and I think the other wee thing has too. It has McAfee I know that.

See how technical I am these days? :)

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