Public Service Announcement: Don't Use Internet Explorer

[The Man]

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends that all users temporarily discontinue the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) due to a critical security flaw. (http://www.balloon-juice.com/2014/04/29/psa-dont-use-explorer/)More info here. (http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/2014/04/29/dhs-internet-explorer-security-warning/)

[Heath]

I'm forced to use IE at work (and an antiquated version at that). I'd almost forgotten people still used it until I started my current job. Don't browse EoFF at work though. [/nowhere near as professional as I sound]

[Pike]

The real question is why anyone would be using IE in the first place.

Because your name is Loony BoB.

(You think I'm joking. I'm not.)

[The Man]

We're talking about a man who thinks soup is a drink. Is anyone really surprised?

[Parker]

The best bet is to not use computers at all, imo.


But if you have to use a computer and web browser don't use IE. This has been common knowledge for many years.

[Psychotic]

Uhhhh, you expect me to trust not only the The Department of Homeland Security but Aaron Freed as well? Ho ho ho, what a jape. I think not, sirs! I am off to Explore the Internet, good day to you all! :hattip:

[Pant Leg Eater from the Bad World]

This is funny because the only thing that U.S. military computers use is Internet Explorer.

[Parker]

*psychotic gets hacked, his extensive donkey porn collection is leaked, forum scandal

[Shorty]

I'm forced to use IE at work (and an antiquated version at that). I'd almost forgotten people still used it until I started my current job. Don't browse EoFF at work though. [/nowhere near as professional as I sound]

I use IE at work because a web portal we utilize requires IE8 to run on and it's terrible.

And I do browse EoFF at work, but thankfully I have Chrome installed for that.

[Calliope]

http://cf.chucklesnetwork.com/items/1/2/2/0/original/i-dont-always-use-internet-explorer_but-when-i.jpg

[LocoColt04]

^

That is the most relevant image in the history of ever.

I only ever utilize IE when I am checking for compatibility issues with website/forum content.

[Ayen]

I haven't used Internet Explorer since somebody informed me there were other web browsers I could download. That was 2007.

[Jiro]

I haven't used Internet Explorer since somebody informed me there were other web browsers I could download. That was 2007.

The only time I ever use IE is to a) download another browser b) play mafia c) there is no c.

[Shorty]

Use incognito on Chrome to play mafia, silly!

[Sephex]

Use incognito on Chrome to play mafia, silly!

...yeah...and that's all I do with it too...

[Tigmafuzz]

I only ever utilize IE when I am checking for compatibility issues with website/forum content.

You can just emulate IE within firefox for that. (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/collections/ben-huang/firefox_ie7_ie8/)

[Pike]

I haven't used Internet Explorer since somebody informed me there were other web browsers I could download. That was 2007.

Fffffft. I started using Firefox version 0.8 in 2004!

53554

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[Parker]

remember when opera was really good and awesome and then firefox came out with add-ons or w/e and it owned and now opera is like based on chrome or something now #browserchat

[Pike]

remember when opera was really good and awesome and then firefox came out with add-ons or w/e and it owned and now opera is like based on chrome or something now #browserchat

RIP Opera

RIP all those other weird alternative browsers that came out around that time

[Old Manus]

Having spent all morning trying to fix a compatibility issue in the version of IE that everyone at the Welsh Government uses (8), I don't care if they all go down in flames.

[Bubba]

I use IE at work because a web portal we utilize requires IE8 to run on and it's terrible.

And I do browse EoFF at work, but thankfully I have Chrome installed for that.

This is the exact same situation with me.


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[Loony BoB]

IE hate is the antiquated thing around here. What is this, 2006? IE hasn't been that bad for a while (I never have issues with site load times). I use Chrome and IE simultaneously at home. Not because of any security or cookie reason, but because I like having tabs on one browser (for things I keep open permanently) and not on another (for most other things). I'm very particular about such things. Also, someone has to spot the things at EoFF that don't work in IE. I use IE at work because it's work, and that's what work gives us.

[Formalhaut]

The real question is why anyone would be using IE in the first place.

Exactly. :p

[CimminyCricket]

IE hate is the antiquated thing around here. What is this, 2006? IE hasn't been that bad for a while (I never have issues with site load times). I use Chrome and IE simultaneously at home. Not because of any security or cookie reason, but because I like having tabs on one browser (for things I keep open permanently) and not on another (for most other things). I'm very particular about such things. Also, someone has to spot the things at EoFF that don't work in IE. I use IE at work because it's work, and that's what work gives us.

Ditto. Aside from this bug, there hasn't been too much to complain about with IE.

[Rantz]

Remember to keep any browser you use updated. Similar vulnerabilities have been found in Chrome and Firefox too in the past few days, though they do have bugfixes out in their most recent updates whereas Microsoft is still working on one for IE, last I heard.

Flash Player is another thing you should update if you have it.

And of course, be sensible about what links you follow - don't just mindlessly click whatever link you're sent, whether it's in an email from an unknown sender or in chat from a trusted friend. If you don't visit a site that takes advantage of this vulnerability, you'll be okay (in this case).

[Madame Adequate]

IE hate is the antiquated thing around here. What is this, 2006? IE hasn't been that bad for a while (I never have issues with site load times). I use Chrome and IE simultaneously at home. Not because of any security or cookie reason, but because I like having tabs on one browser (for things I keep open permanently) and not on another (for most other things). I'm very particular about such things. Also, someone has to spot the things at EoFF that don't work in IE. I use IE at work because it's work, and that's what work gives us.

So let me get this straight, my friend. In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Fourteen, you are honestly, without a trace of irony, defending Internet Explorer. I am not entirely sure how to process this. I mean I know you do, because you're Lonny Bob, but my brain rejects the information whenever I'm not faced with it because how can someone be so deluded?

I also believe you meant to say "I'm very autismal about such things." because damn son, that's autismal. Have you considered trying Zac Browser (http://zacbrowser.com/) instead? It might be well suited to such a degree of sperginess.

Finally, no, nobody has to spot the things at EoFF that don't work in IE. We've been over this before and every single person in the world except for you agreed that people still using IE instead of a browser that isn't terrible don't deserve to use our forums. Even people who use IE exclusively agreed they were the inferior race and should not be given consideration.

[Pumpkin]

I used IE for a long time and then I started using Firefox about 3 years ago because... I don't remember why. But I like it!

[Rantz]

IE ain't so bad these days. Still not the best browser, but not deserving of any categorical dismissal, really. I agree with BoB - IE hate seems a bit antiquated these days. :p And I say that as a web developer, quite possibly the group of people worst afflicted by IE's terribleness of yore!

[Parker]

IE is usually associated with gaping security holes, which is a little unfair. Adobe is also noted to have awful security. I'm sure if Firefox and Foxit were the leading software used by the majority of people then we'd be hearing similar things said about those softwares re: security.

Having said that, I still think IE and Adobe suck, and try not to use them unless forced, because of the same reason. Popular software is more commonly targeted by criminals. It doesn't help that many (most?) workplaces don't bother to update their software (or wait months to do so), leaving their users and data at risk.

[Madame Adequate]

Well well well, the Swede reveals his true colors.

[Old Manus]

IE is usually associated with gaping security holes, which is a little unfair. Adobe is also noted to have awful security. I'm sure if Firefox and Foxit were the leading software used by the majority of people then we'd be hearing similar things said about those softwares re: security.

Having said that, I still think IE and Adobe suck, and try not to use them unless forced, because of the same reason. Popular software is more commonly targeted by criminals. It doesn't help that many (most?) workplaces don't bother to update their software (or wait months to do so), leaving their users and data at risk.Hardly anyone uses IE these days, though. It's mostly Chrome, and Firefox is actually fading pretty fast.

[Loony BoB]

Aye, Manus, but it's the businesses that are the ones targeted far more than individuals at home.

Also, believe it or not, but IE still is apparently the majority browser on a global level - at least according to the news reports relating to the IE bug, anyway.

[MJN SEIFER]

Is this very serious? As all I have is IE so I can't just not use it (spare the jokes, I've just never needed to have any other browser).

Keep in mind I have pretty good prottection usually (I think, it usually blocks anything that is very serious). It's Norton by the way, and it's been good so far.

[The Man]

According to one report I read, it can lead to hijacking of one's entire OS, so yes, it's serious.

[MJN SEIFER]

According to one report I read, it can lead to hijacking of one's entire OS, so yes, it's serious. Oh, crap. Hopefully my computers protected enough.

I need to update my browser anyway (have done for a long time) so maybe I'll get something else, the problem is I only know IE so I don't know if the others will be safe to use (but I guess they are if this thing is only affecting IE).

[Parker]

Aye, Manus, but it's the businesses that are the ones targeted far more than individuals at home.

Also, believe it or not, but IE still is apparently the majority browser on a global level - at least according to the news reports relating to the IE bug, anyway.

Yep. Also I believe XP is still used by something like 40-50% of internet users, and now that it's reached end of line it won't be updated any more. Oops. There are a ton of reasons for a home user or particularly business not to upgrade, usually cost-related, but it seems many businesses still seem to go by the "ignore-it-until-we-get-hacked" rule.

MJN, yes, the vulnerability is serious although I haven't checked out the technical details. It's also somewhat of a media highlight - it's a bug that has existed for a long time, so news sites get to shout HACKERS MAY HAVE BEEN USING THIS FOR YEARS!!!! to scare everyone.

However I imagine the IE fix will be with us shortly, this isn't the kind of thing Microsoft can ignore. Just be sure to upgrade as soon as you can (and follow the usual general computer security rules of not visiting dodgy websites and blocking ads except on eoff of course.

[noxious.sunshine]

lol I still use Opera sometimes. Both on my laptop and my phone.

[Jessweeee♪]

I haven't used Internet Explorer since somebody informed me there were other web browsers I could download. That was 2007.

The only time I ever use IE is to a) download another browser b) play mafia c) there is no c.

I use Pale Moon and I literally installed Chrome and Opera to play two mafia accounts in this last game. IE isn't that bad, but it reminds me too much of when I was a secretary showing my bosses how to internet.

[Pumpkin]

Why do you need IE or something for mafia?

[Flaming Ice]

The real question is why anyone would be using IE in the first place.



Not guilty~!:shifty:

[Jessweeee♪]

I use multiple browsers for two reasons mostly

1. Have "Remember Me" enabled for both accounts
2. Use a different skin for each account so I don't get them mixed up and post with the wrong account

[Rantz]

There should now be patches available for Internet Explorer that supposedly fix the problem.

[Slothy]

What is this, 2006? IE hasn't been that bad for a while

If your defense of something begins with something akin to "it's not that bad," then you've just made everyone else's argument for them.

[Jiro]

Use incognito on Chrome to play mafia, silly!

And sign in every time? Hell naw.

[Raistlin]

I am forced to us IE8 at work. It is a painful experience.

[Loony BoB]

What is this, 2006? IE hasn't been that bad for a while

If your defense of something begins with something akin to "it's not that bad," then you've just made everyone else's argument for them.
You're not that bad a guy, Vivi22. ;)

But seriously, I say it that way because I'm not stupid enough to perceive it as flawless. Of course, I'm not stupid enough to perceive Chrome as flawless, either. I like them both equally but prefer different browsers for different purposes.