Urgent warning

[ciphergoth]

Stop browsing the web NOW, or your computer will come under the control of the Bad Guys. Read this first.

Internet Explorer, the web browser that comes bundled with Windows and some Mac systems, has a serious security flaw. Just by viewing a web page you might compromise your machine. And thousands of web pages all over the Net contain the damaging code - because the machines hosting those pages have been compromised. This means that you will be attacked even if you stick to browsing sites that you trust.

There is no fix to Internet Explorer available, even though this flaw has been known about for some time. If you continue to use this browser, you are asking the bad guys to control your computer. They will use it for things like sending spam and compromising your bank details and personal information.

Currently the only fix is to install another browser. Even if Microsoft get around to fixing this problem, the history shows that there will be many others, and that your computer will be open to takeover by others for as long as you use Internet Explorer.

If your workplace forbid you from installing software on your machine, you have three choices:

1. Never browse the Web from your work computer - just don't start the browser at all, ever.
2. Disobey your work and install another browser.
3. Disobey your work and install a program for sending spam, involuntarily, courtesy of the Bad Guys.

Please don't choose option 3.

I recommend installing Mozilla Firefox right away. Others prefer other browsers - pretty much any alternative to Internet Explorer will be better.

More details in reddragdiva's journal. But maybe install a new browser first, and then go browsing later?

Comments

[trishpiglet.livejournal.com]

Using Firefox.
I have MIE on my computer, though. BS says it's hard to delete, so I'll settle for removing from desktop.

[redcountess]

As reddragdiva said, if you're running Windows you need IE to run Windows Update for critical updates. The proper way to remove it from the desktop is by going to control panel-->internet options-->advanced options tab and unticking "show IE on desktop". And while you're in advanced options you should check it to prompt before running any scripts or Active X, and set privacy to high. Also change the home page to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com in case it does get launched inadvertently.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

Indeed, removing IE is next to impossible, and anyway as redcountess says you need it for Windows Update. Fortunately you're not made vulnerable just because it's sitting there on your hard drive - it's only when you use it to view a compromised website that the attack can be mounted.