Internet Explorer

[kimpossible]

Does anyone know if it is safe to use IE right now following  THIS? << EDIT: Added correct link!!!

I only use FF, but my parents are IE users (still not managed to convert them to FF)! I've told them I'll look into it for them.

TIA

[sickpuppy]

Judging from the amount of viruses I have to remove from my Dad's machine on a regular basis I'm going to say no, it's probably not safe.

[JasonD]

Published: 12:05PM GMT 16 Dec 2008

There are more current IE flaws. Security researchers advise not to use IE, Microsoft denies there are any problems.

Same as it has been for the last 10 years or so.

[kimpossible]

OK thanks. I'll have to break the news to them gently. They're not very good with change! 

I installed FF whilst I was at theirs for xmas (as I couldn't bring myself to use IE) so it's all ready for them to use anyway.

[Ben]

I've installed Chrome or Firefox on two client's machine, removed the 'E' from the desktop, moved across their favourites etc and one of them phoned me last week to say how much they love this 'tabs' thing. Yup, they were still using IE6. *shudders*

[sarahA]

if necessary, put a link to an alternate browser on the desktop and change the icon to be IE's. The just tell them it had an upgrade ;-)  If you really want to go the full route, I'm sure there's a way to change the 'Mozilla Firefox' (or your browser of choice) in the top title bar too!

[Mike@TheWhippinpost]

Yes it's "safe".

PS... that article was "Published: 12:05PM GMT 16 Dec 2008"

[kimpossible]

Yes it's "safe".

PS... that article was "Published: 12:05PM GMT 16 Dec 2008"

OK, me thinks I've probably linked to the wrong article there! DOH!

It's this I should be referring to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/7025392/UK-Government-will-not-warn-against-Internet-Explorer.html

[Tony]

Never really had a problem with IE, I don't find that FF is any 'faster' whatever that means, as pages load as fast as your connection and or PC will let them (I haven't timed this down to milliseconds so may be a nano or two out)

Security wise, only viruses that have got on my PC over the years is from email attachments and MSN links - not IE.

Plus I find FF a horrible browser to use in terms of look and feel etc. but it does what it does, same as the rest of em.

I think people who get real security issues with it should think about the sites that they are visiting rather than the software they are using...

[Mike@TheWhippinpost]

Couldn't have put it better myself, Tony.

[JasonD]

The people who should think about what sites they visit are exactly the type of people who need to be told what to do. They won't listen, but that is an unrelated problem.

If you only ever visit sites you know and trust your internet will be very small,  as the latest batch of exploits begins with attacking websites that people thought safe, your internet doesn't extend beyond the walls (bricks and fire) of the building. Faith is okay for religion, it is not a valid security policy.

[Jeep Stone]

I currently use Chrome and FF in fairly equal proportions. I use FF for debugging as Firebug is still much better but for standard browsing, Chrome is far quicker, robust and prettier.

[Tony]

Faith is okay for religion, it is not a valid security policy.

Oh I don't know, it seems pretty common for IT security managers to put their faith in closing the firewall rather than securing machines on the inside as various government bodies have found as ineffectual when one gets through and kills the lot - along with a large number of corporate businesses I should imagine as well, but they aren't bound by the freedom of information act so don't tell anyone.

A policy exists in the faith that people will adhere to it - like the ten commandments, so therefore, faith is a valid security policy as if it wasn't, it wouldn't keep going wrong - looked at your neighbours wife lately? I haven't, she's over 70

[yawner]

looked at your neighbours wife lately? I haven't, she's over 70

which suggests that if she were younger, you'd be a looking....

..but we digress 

[Tony]

looked at your neighbours wife lately? I haven't, she's over 70

which suggests that if she were younger, you'd be a looking....

..but we digress 

I drive an old Renault, but still watch top gear

[yawner]

looked at your neighbours wife lately? I haven't, she's over 70

which suggests that if she were younger, you'd be a looking....

..but we digress 

I drive an old Renault, but still watch top gear

we all know you have a Ferrari in the kitchen