Public Service Announcement: Don't Use Internet Explorer

[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~!

[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.