The federal government's cyberdefense experts, along with other computer gurus, are urging users to consider a switch away from Microsoft's Internet Explorer because of new security problems.
The unusual warning follows an exploit that has allowed hackers to install software on Web sites that use Microsoft's Web server programs.
That in turn downloads a spyware program to personal computers, including one that steals credit card numbers and other forms of financial information.
"This is a wakeup call for us to advise users to switch to an alternative browser," said Johannes Ulrich of the SANS' Internet Storm Center based in Bethesda, Md., which tracks immediate threats on the Internet. "With Internet Explorer, you're playing Russian Roulette and hoping the sites you visit aren't compromised."
Most anti-virus software has been updated to block the specific program, the JS.Scob trojan, but Microsoft has not been able to inoculate Internet Explorer against the broad technique.
A Microsoft spokesman directed reporters to a Microsoft statement: "Customers using Internet Explorer should be sure that they have installed the latest security updates by visiting Windows Update at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com."
...None of the most prominent alternative browsers, Opera www.opera.com, Mozilla.org, or Netscape www.netscape.com, is vulnerable to the flaw. Nor are computers running Linux or the Macintosh operating system.
...The bug targets users of Internet Explorer. Experts said users can protect themselves from the bug by using a non-Microsoft Corp. browser or by employing software to block pop-ups. Internet Explorer users are immune if they download and install a patch that was released in April.
Toledo Blade article
The unusual warning follows an exploit that has allowed hackers to install software on Web sites that use Microsoft's Web server programs.
That in turn downloads a spyware program to personal computers, including one that steals credit card numbers and other forms of financial information.
"This is a wakeup call for us to advise users to switch to an alternative browser," said Johannes Ulrich of the SANS' Internet Storm Center based in Bethesda, Md., which tracks immediate threats on the Internet. "With Internet Explorer, you're playing Russian Roulette and hoping the sites you visit aren't compromised."
Most anti-virus software has been updated to block the specific program, the JS.Scob trojan, but Microsoft has not been able to inoculate Internet Explorer against the broad technique.
A Microsoft spokesman directed reporters to a Microsoft statement: "Customers using Internet Explorer should be sure that they have installed the latest security updates by visiting Windows Update at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com."
...None of the most prominent alternative browsers, Opera www.opera.com, Mozilla.org, or Netscape www.netscape.com, is vulnerable to the flaw. Nor are computers running Linux or the Macintosh operating system.
...The bug targets users of Internet Explorer. Experts said users can protect themselves from the bug by using a non-Microsoft Corp. browser or by employing software to block pop-ups. Internet Explorer users are immune if they download and install a patch that was released in April.
I have used Netscape for a long time for several reasons. It doesn't interface perfectly with all of Microsoft's programs, but I've always felt like it does well enough, and it's worth the very few quirks. I really like the latest version's option of opening new windows as tabs in the same window. Probably it's not the best choice, but it's free. My elder son who writes programs for a living has told me of another browser that he recommends, but I don't remember what it is. I think it's Opera.
....and hey, you do what you want....you will anyway.
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