Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

Doesn't the fact that it NEEDS all those security updates bother you? To me, that's proof that it is inherently flawed to require so many updates. I use Safari, and the only updates it's needed are the ones that come with upgrading to a newer operating system!

Well, it's your credit card information... ;)

MrToast

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

With all the anti-IE rhetoric going on, I'd like to offer some damage control from the IE side. They are listening and working hard enough that I'm confident the next major version of IE (albeit a long wait) will be extremely good. This is coming from someone who has contributed to the Mozilla code, squashed Mozilla bugs, and advocated the technologies of Mozilla since before the Application Suite even had a version number. I am now looking at this browser issue from a webdesigner's perspective and find it absolutely necessary to improve IE rather than just forget about it, as well over 90% of us still use it. Firefox is better, there is no doubt. But that doesn't mean everybody should use it, and it doesn't mean webdesigners can drop IE like it's hot.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

Not necessarily.
You're confusing 'frequency of updates' with the 'amount updated'.
MS may just release hundreds of 'micro-patches', while safari may only update when there is a big patch ready.
It is also impossible to test a program on the thousands of configs that exist. As people report bugs, MS investigates what caused it, how serious it is, and how to fix it.
I am happy with IE. There have been very few unwanted guests on this system.

Stop dising MS because it's an easy target.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

[snort]right..... [/snort]

I wasn't dissing Microsoft. I was questioning the usability of their software. If you'd like me to diss that thieving, bullying, and megalomaniacal company, just let me know and I'll be more than happy to.

Cheers,

MrToast

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

heh dont have a credit card LOL LOL LOL!
IE is ok, just leave it alone and stop diggin at it

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

To all the people saying there is nothing wrong with IE- I ask why this thread exists. The original article this thread is based around says the federal government is warning people about the inherent flaws of IE, and are recommending other browsers. If there were no problem, why would the government say such a thing? If it hasn't been posted here yet, MSN's own Slate recommends Firefox over IE for the same issues. Just because you haven't been affected by certain issues does not mean there's no problem. Yes, tight security practices can prevent 99% of problems, but again I ask, why do you need a plethora of third party programs and a bunch of patches to keep your system secure? Could it be because of underlying vulnerabilities in the built in software?

The other problem is the amount of users who simply don't know better. Combine the uninformed masses with inherently insecure software, and you've got a hell of a problem on your hands. The way I see it there are two solutions- educate the masses, or produce better software. Considering the number of security bulletins and news articles on virii and spyware, and the continued lack of firewalled/updated/protected systems, I doubt the public at large will hear the message. The only other solution is to produce better software. Mozilla/Firefox is a step in the right direction. Microsoft is starting to look in the right direction with service pack 2. But at this point in time there are confirmed problems with IE that don't affect other browsers.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

You know, I have not heard what specifically are the inherent flaws. If they have already been posted, please tell me.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

The article actually mentions viruses that uploaded themselves onto servers using Microsoft. Thus a visitor to that website will have viruses downloaded onto their computer that are really bad. I knew this was going to invoke a large response. Just not this large. :rolleyes:

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

And how is that an inherrent bug, instead of a regular one?

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

Well, lets see... no other browser has this 'function', so I guess it's an inherrent bug in IE, not something that ALL browsers have problems with. I respect your opinion that IE is a better browser, but you're loosing by trying to spin your way out of trouble.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

care to enlighten me what this 'function' actually does? is it an auto-update? self-install? a hoax to get people talkin?

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

Function- as sarcastical remark where the IE software can be hijacked by webpages, for example, and other flaws that other browsers don't have.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

I think you've made your point that you want to stick with IE. Nothing wrong with that, but you're basing your decision on denial of - and I don't use this term lightly - common knowledge.

If you kept track of this sort of thing, you would know that reports of new IE exploits appear quite literally weekly (although admitedly they are slowing down in frequency). Major holes are much more rare, and arise every couple of months; Microsoft patches these through WindowsUpdate every time you upgrade IE, so there is little concern in that department if you're careful. Trojans, such as Bobax, a commercially-created worm for spamming, Delude.B, a sort of reverse-DoS attack worm that infiltrates IE, and most recently, Kibuv, which attacks no less than seven Windows networking vulnerabilities, all prey on IE's market saturation (perhaps Mozilla and Opera have a killer or two, but hackers don't care because nobody uses them). In March, a rather clever ploy with an IE security vulnerability supposedly stole money from a number of people trying to bank online. This, in part due to IE's popularity is not a concern with any other modern browser.

PivX, an independant firm that shows the unpatched security holes of major browsers and offers its own fixes to some, used to have a counter on its website for unpatched security holes, and IE was always around 20 while the others were always below 3. So there's some quantitative proof. Unfortunately, that page has disappeared... around the same time Microsoft started giving them money. I'm not one for Microsoft conspiracies, but that's pretty interesting.

The point is, IE has had a terrible reputation for security holes since the 5.x series and its phasing in of ActiveX controls. Whether you care or not is a different thing; I only do to a certain point. Here's some Firebird rhetoric, though; these are the reasons I go for it, not because of security holes. It's just a better browser.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

the reasons the reports appear is because being the most widely used browser in the world, there are so many people to target, so there are much more people looking for flaws to exploit. If any other browser was most widely used, i aam sure that would be the case for that . As there are the most potential targets, and the people at home who dont know much about computers etc are using it for simplicity, its much easier to find targets to attack with IE over any other Browser. I would rather have many small updates than the occasional big one. If i knew someone had a bug into my pc, then i would want the fix asap as opposed to in a month or so when the next big patch comes out.

Re: Federal Government warns about Internet Exploer bugs
 

I love firefox, see my avatar. It has alot of useful extentions and several different themes to use to. You can even make it look like IE, firefox is a great program and the best part is its FREE...