The Gang of Five

Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => Hobbies and Recreation => Computer and Electronics => Topic started by: Littlefoot1616 on December 16, 2008, 08:00:09 AM

Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Littlefoot1616 on December 16, 2008, 08:00:09 AM
Hey guys!

I has been announced on the news that Internet Explorer (IE) has encountered a serious security flaw whereby potential hackers and cyber criminals have the ability to seize control of your computer and gain access to personal data and security passwords. This is no spam mail, this was on national news so there has to be a greater amount of genuinity to it. MS are advising all IE users using ver 7 (or higher if there are any) to use a different browser like Firefox, Opera, Safari etc as these are not reported to have this flaw. A security patch is being worked on and should be available soon. Extra vigilance has been advised...careful out there guys!

Here's the news article if you require further confirmation...

News Report on IE Flaw (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7784908.stm)
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: landbeforetimelover on December 16, 2008, 08:54:06 AM
This is one of the reasons I don't use IE.  It's such an insecure piece of garbage.  Great work MS. :p
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: DarkHououmon on December 16, 2008, 11:24:09 AM
Oh boy. My dad and sisters both use Internet Explorer.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 16, 2008, 11:32:38 AM
Do they have McAfee security?
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: DarkHououmon on December 16, 2008, 11:43:07 AM
Quote from: f-22 "raptor" ace,Dec 16 2008 on  11:32 AM
Do they have McAfee security?
This question addressed to me?
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 16, 2008, 11:45:44 AM
Yes.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: DarkHououmon on December 16, 2008, 11:58:19 AM
No, we do not use McAfee.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: pokeplayer984 on December 16, 2008, 01:00:42 PM
Well, I'd best inform my dad of this unfortunate thing.  Firefox and Chrome just do SO much better when it comes to security. :)
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: DarkHououmon on December 16, 2008, 01:06:55 PM
I would try to inform my dad, but he doesn't see the purpose in using other browsers and doesn't believe me when I told him Firefox was more secure than Internet Explorer. If I tried to tell him to temporarily use something else for a short time, he'd probably laugh and say the flaw isn't a big deal.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Kor on December 16, 2008, 01:08:14 PM
I wonder how long it has existed before they discovered it and how long it'll be till it is patched.

I guess he won't believe any warning till he is hit by one of the folks out to get people.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Explorer on December 16, 2008, 05:30:27 PM
I'm trying to get U3 Opera, so I don't have to put up on the pc, since my pen drive barely leaves me.

Or... should I take Mozilla?

<-<
It's not the greatest thing to hear from the computer's default internet system, either ways.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: NeptuneNavigator2001 on December 16, 2008, 05:33:17 PM
Hah, I haven't trusted IE for years...  .....I knew it, I just knew something like this was gonna be revealed one day...  Secret index.dat files are one thing, but this is another...  Just another reason why I use Firefox.. :p It's got plugins, too.. :^.^: Ooh, shiny.. xD
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: AvestheForumFox on December 16, 2008, 05:50:42 PM
we forum fox types always use Firefox.

For obvious reasons...

AND ITS WAY BETTER THAN IE!!!!!!!
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Kor on December 16, 2008, 06:45:54 PM
There is a version of Firefox designed to run on usb drives, if some prefer that.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Petrie. on December 16, 2008, 09:56:35 PM
OperaUSB ;)  Best thing to do.  You don't have to really install it.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 16, 2008, 09:59:36 PM
LBT Lover would it help having McAfee security?
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Petrie. on December 16, 2008, 10:52:23 PM
Anti virus software won't likely stop this.  A firewall, yes, but not AV software.  Best thing you can do is switch to a browser that doesn't have this security hole.  Once MS releases a patch, update IE if that's what you want to use.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 16, 2008, 10:58:03 PM
I don't beleive I have the  ver 7 of IE.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: DarkHououmon on December 16, 2008, 11:09:00 PM
This flaw effects all Internet Explorers from version 5 to the latest version 8.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 16, 2008, 11:16:17 PM
Ok I'll be sure to find out what version of IE I have on my computer.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Amaranthine on December 16, 2008, 11:33:53 PM
I have informed both of my parental units and I would believe they have firewalls.

As for me, I just use Safari.(wow, I'm rhyming today. :p)
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Tyrannosaur on December 17, 2008, 01:24:04 AM
I've been using Firefox for about 2 years now. its way better than IE in every way.

IE has always had some type of security issues.

i actually find it ironic that, firefox, which is a free browser and is made by a (i think) non-profit organization (mozilla), is far superior to a browser made by one of the biggest corporations (microsoft) in the world :D.

PS: if you are using MacAfee. i urge you to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get a proper anti-virus program. Zone Alarm, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky are FAR superior :)
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 17, 2008, 01:27:29 AM
What's wrong with McAfee?
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: DarkHououmon on December 17, 2008, 02:01:47 AM
Quote from: f-22 "raptor" ace,Dec 17 2008 on  01:27 AM
What's wrong with McAfee?
I heard it is not a very good antivirus program and that it takes up a good amount of CPU on the computer. I don't really trust McAfee too much. I use Panda on my computer.

This guy does reviews for several antivirus programs. He tests them on a seperate computer that's infected with, I believe, over 200 malware. He did a review on McAfee and it didn't do too well from what I remember. Kaspersky did the best, I think, overall.

http://www.youtube.com/user/mrizos (http://www.youtube.com/user/mrizos)
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: pokeplayer984 on December 17, 2008, 02:31:14 AM
When it comes to such problems, I really don't think you can be TOO safe.  I mean, I have AVG, Spybot S&D and an Anti-Rootkit program.  Add in that I use Firefox and Chrome for all my internet needs, and I feel that I have quite the safe computer here.  Of course, I check everything I download that may seem untrustworthy with those programs and so that it makes it difficult for problems to happen.

Ever since LBTlover came here, I've improved quite a bit in the security measures of my computer.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 17, 2008, 04:11:57 PM
Does it matter if the computer is connected to a network? or does it go for all computers network connected and not networkconnected?
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Serris on December 17, 2008, 04:12:28 PM
I updated to Firefox. But I still have McAfee (the Enterprise version, though I'm not sure that makes a difference).

I need to upgrade to something else.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: f-22 "raptor" ace on December 17, 2008, 07:42:39 PM
LBTLover the question in my last post was addressed to you.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: landbeforetimelover on December 18, 2008, 05:32:48 PM
Quote
Does it matter if the computer is connected to a network? or does it go for all computers network connected and not networkconnected?

Please elaborate.  If you're asking if you need to have internet to be affected then yes.  If you're asking if you have a computer on your network with IE, could another computer connected to the same network also get infected even if it has no internet connection and only relies on a local connection, then no.  I don't believe that the bug can be transferred to another computer via a local network connection (meaning computer to computer, NOT internet).  Sorry if this is confusing.  I really need specifics on your unique situation.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Petrie. on December 18, 2008, 07:02:08 PM
MS released a patch already.  You can get it in automatic updates or go get it from their site.
Title: WARNING to Internet Explorer Users!
Post by: Tobe on December 30, 2008, 03:36:47 PM
Sorry, I'm being nostalgic and remembered this last "Zero Day GET".

...

Those insufferable t$%^s had to push that patch the night I was torre- that is, updating my files on increasing employee morale.

And this point Aves should interject something about obscure anime's not being an acceptable way to increase company morale.  

In response to which I shop his furry and ducky into lewd positions and upload them to the LBT server.


~Tobe