Microsoft: Big Security Hole in All IE Versions

Usually this information belongs in our Computer forum, but this is important for everyone to know.

Are you still using Internet Explorer? It's time for you to re-think that. Yet another massive security vulnerability has been discovered. You can read about it here:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/12/microsoft_big_security_hole_in.html

There is absolutely no reason to be using IE any longer. You should be using Firefox or Chrome or just about any other browser in the world. The risk of being a victim of online crime is too great to risk it. Downloading Firefox is as easy as pie by going to http://getfirefox.com/

Dave

Thanks, Dave! I switched to Firefox a while back so DG would run more smoothly for me (no more lost posts or getting randomly booted from the chat room!). I love it!

I'll pass this along to my folks, as I think they're still relying on IE.

I use Firefox also.

Now I am pretty computer stuipid. I have Msn but use Yahoo more or less for my home page.

It says on the bar across the top of the page Windows Internet Explorer provided by Yahoo. Is that the same as this IE yoru talkign about?

if I switch to this firefox, will I still l have my Yahoo page?

If you do switch to this firefox what happens to the IE? Doe sit just disappear. I have windows office Xp. That about all I know.

starlight1153, you can download Firefox at the link above. It's a fast download and super easy to install. Once you get it up and running, go here: http://toolbar.yahoo.com/firefox

That will put the Yahoo toolbar into your Firefox and you'll be in business!

As for IE, once you have Firefox installed, you are free to ignore the IE button. Just don't use it and you should be good to go.

Ok, that part sounds good, now if ya don't mind on more question. I have adware 6 and the basic yearly paid Norton. Does this fire fox interfer with firefox? Will I still have my virus protection or will I have to try and do somethign else for that too?

How complicated can it get? I have been using Firefox for a couple of months. In the toolbar is an icon for Yahoo to access my email and home page through Att_Uverse which is our cable and broadband. I don't even know where IE is anymore.

Is there something else I should do for security?

BTW. Thank you so much for warning all of us. We might not have known it on our own.

Christi

Yikes! Much obliged, Dave, for this warning. I tend to use both FF and IE (mostly FF though) so this tells me to lay off IE for a bit, if not forever.

By the way, for some reason I can't access the Internet via FF and have to get online using IE, then open FF (via DG favorites list). Does anyone know if I delete FF, then reload it from scratch if I'll lose all my present settings, favorites, bookmarks, etc? (I'm hoping if I start from scratch with a FF download I can once again get online w/out using IE.)

Shoe

Starlight, AdAware works just fine with F-fox, no worries there. (As for Norton, I gave up on that years ago so can't help you there.)

Shoe

Thanks Dave.
I have FF installed and haven't been using it at all.... I'm in the process of making it my default explorer.
Susie

Been running Firefox for years, no problems with any anti virus programs or anything else. I have a Yahoo toolbar, but never use it.

When we got Mom a computer, we installed FF and never told her there was anything else.

OK .. BEFORE I jump into FF .. what will happen to my 'Favourites' .. am I DUH or what ??

~M~

Thanks folks. Computers scare me. I love em, but because I have no idea what to do when somethign goes wrong. I never change anything. So I on dial and old programs and just automatic computer updates.

Keep yoru fingers crossed for me. Gonna try and make the switch later this evening. Am mailign friend snow to tell them to make the switch to ff and sendign the article.

Thanks, Joan, will do! Appreciative!

Marilyn...from what I remember my IE Favorites were automatically imported over to FFox.

Shoe (who started using FireFox some years back, probably about the time Melody did, because Dave alerted us to a Windows/IE bug way back then, too!)

I'm like Shoe, I 'think' everything was moved to my favorites, but I have never used IE at all. I used Netscape for my first browser because my first computer tech guy said that it was safer than IE and installed that for me.

I love Firefox, been using it since someone here advised me to.

There is only one issue I have ever had with it, and it isn't even my issue. I have to keep IE available as a desktop icon for DH to play any yahoo games, he likes euchre. I have never been able to get Firefox to play nicely with yahoo games.

Otherwise, IE never sees the light of day on this 'puter.

I believe FF does ask you if you want to import any Favorites from other browsers when you first use it. However, I only used Netscape also so I don't have personal experience. I had Netscape in 1994!

Thanks for the info Dave!

I just downloaded Firefox. Is the writing supposed to look so thready and pale looking?

I can barely read it.

I remember Mosaic Dave. And Gopher.

Another option is Chrome. The beta was pretty good, and they just released the live version. It's been so long since I switched to FF that I don't remember if it asks you if you want to import Favorites or not (from IE), I'm pretty sure that Chrome steps through that as well.

Have been using FF for two months. Did discover this. Go to bookmarks and click for the drop down menu. There is an area that says: From Internet Explorer. I clicked import and all of my favorites were imported. It wasn't automatic for me. Maybe I missed something when I first downloaded and installed.

Little by little I have been exploring all of the add-ons and extras. Very friendly.

Christi

Woo Hoo .. I did it .. only drawback, so far, was that I had to RE sign in to Daves .. whoa .. had to dig into the old brain to remember my password as I don't ever logout !!
One very POSITIVE feature .. I have just now noticed .. SPELL CHECK .. Luv it !!!!

Like Lou .. I too am an explorer ^_^

~M~

i use chrome and really like it

Ok everyone am I out to lunch ---I am using Safari- or that is the Icon I have on my Mac.
Is that instead of IE?
Ann

Don't forget Opera. A lot of people like it better than Firefox.

I love Firefox. I've been using it for several years and only ever had one problem with it. (Just a couple of weeks ago, but I think they have that fixed now.) There are a lot of good reasons to switch in addition to security issues. One is that you'll see standards-compliant websites the way they were meant to be seen.

Ann--Safari is not the same as IE so you're fine. I'm also not sure if IE for Mac would be susceptible to this threat--usually the hackers focus on PC's running Windows since that's what most people have, there aren't nearly as many viruses, etc that cause problems for Macs. But to be safe I'd stick with Safari, or Firefox for Mac should be fine too.

I've been using Mozilla/Foxfire for a couple months now due to problems with IE and my ISP swithched me. At first, I found it difficult to navigate probably just because I was used to IE. Now, I'm quite satisfied with FF. I, too, never let my IE browser see the light of day. Lee

Dave, thanks for the info!

Pelletory, I had the same complaint when I switched to Firefox a few months back. If you click on Tools at the top of your screen, then Options, and then finally Content, you'll find a dropdown box for the font setting. I changed mine and really like a larger font.

Like Lee I am experiencing a few 'hiccups' with FF simply because I am so used to IE. The interface with other programs is a knack I'm going to have to be patient with. For example .. someone sent me an ECard .. I clicked on the hyperlink to pick it up .. FF shutdown .. I switched back to IE .. and picked up the card .. but .. then FF popped back up.

At one time my ISP told me that i had the weirdest stuff happen to me LOL

Slow and steady wins the race I think ^_^

~M~

MarilynneS, do you find it difficult to install the plug-ins and add-ons? I do at times. Lee

Looks like Firefox is not without it's flaws too. Here's an aritcle about 8 patches for it. Quote from the article "The patches come after security experts have recommended using a browser other than Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 and older versions of IE due to a dangerous vulnerability."

http://www.pcworld.com/article/155608/firefox_issues_eight_patches_for_web_browser.html?tk=rss_news

IE patch is released today. Here's an aritcle.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/155585/microsoft_issues_emergency_security_patch_for_ie.html

My boss has been recommending to me to switch to firefox. I think I'll give it a try.

sv, Thank you!

I've downloaded and am using FF now. I've put the yahoo toolbar on it, but is there anyway to get my buttons from IE exported into FF or will I have to set them up again?

ecrane3
Thanks for the info I guess I'm fine.
Ann

Can anybody tell me what is a plug in and is it somethign ya want or don't want?

We are a day ahead of you here but the repair stuff is now available on windows update ...I went back to IE after down loading the patch stuff this morning ...we were alerted by our radio computer gurus ...they told us that Firefox had to do the same thing. I have gone back to IE because the firefox would not recognise me in certain forums I have joined ...can't remember all the old passwords and am too busy to fuss with that.
He said to make sure that your updates are set to update themselves. I haven't any problems with IE and am used to it.
Be careful though because they said that the hackers are coming in thick and fast.

Thanks Chrissy .. I have tried to use FF .. but am failing miserably :-( like you .. trying to remember passwords is frightful !!
As well .. I cannot navigate through several of my favourites as FF shuts down.

So .. I'll be patching IE as well.

Starlight .. go here to read about 'Plug ins' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plugin

~M~

I thought there was something wrong with my pc. FF frequently just shuts down for no apparent reason. Is there a fix for that?

Christi

Thanks for the info Dave. For those using Norton, or McAffee. Please get rid of it. It uses so much of your computer, and it is very costly. I have been using a free anti virus for years now, and I have not had any problems with it. Please go here to check it out. The home version is free, and is a very quick download.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Linda Kay