Stop Using IE?
Every now and then we get an alert from a software maker (usually Microsoft) about security flaw and are directed to the appropriate patch or update – no big deal.
But yesterday’s alert from Microsoft about a serious vulnerability in Internet Explorer has a particularly alarming ring to it.
Internet experts are telling everyone to stop using IE for a while, until the problem is fixed.
As much as I like IE, right now I’m saying, ‘good thing I use mostly Safari or Firefox.’
According to the reports I read, the flaw in IE allows hackers to take control of users’ computers and steal passwords — but it also lets hackers trick users into visiting a special Websites with malicious code. For now most of the activity has been in China — but experts are warning that the hole in IE could easily be exploited by more “financially motivated criminals” and could quickly blossom into a serious problem here in the U.S. and around the world.
Microsoft says at least seven versions of IE are vulnerable. Media outlets are reporting that about 10,000 Websites have been compromised so far, as Microsoft races to find a patch.
(According to this report in PC World, one tell-tale sign is if your browser suddenly quits unexpectedly. When you re-open, you could be infected …)
If this security flaw results in serious large-scale cyber attacks, it could put a damper on the remainder of this year’s holiday online sales, due to the paranoia it causes among consumers.
But then again, it’s easy to switch to another browser …
Plus, if you haven’t ordered everything you need online yet, you might as well go to the mall. After all, gas is cheap right now …
