GrogHeads Forum

IRL (In Real Life) => Tech Talk => Topic started by: steve58 on April 28, 2014, 02:28:49 PM

Title: Serious security flaw in IE versions 6 through 11
Post by: steve58 on April 28, 2014, 02:28:49 PM
...and (the eventual) fix won't cover XP users.

Quote
If you're still using Windows XP, you do realize that Microsoft stopped supporting the operating system earlier this month, right?

You see, the computer giant has just said it's been alerted to a serious security flaw in versions 6 through 11 of its Internet Explorer Web browser. The good news is it's promising to roll out a fix for users soon; but the bad news is if you're still using XP, you'll get no fix, leaving your machine vulnerable to attack.

According to Microsoft, the discovered flaw could allow a hacker to "gain the same user rights as the current user." That's right, they could potentially access your computer and operate it remotely.

On a dedicated webpage giving more information about the flaw, the company explained: "An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights."

The Redmond-based company added, "On completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action to protect our customers, which may include providing a solution through our monthly security update release process, or an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs."

But just to be clear, this won't cover XP users, so if you're still using the aging OS – and it's estimated that around 20 percent of PCs continue to run it – you really should think about ditching it once and for all to shore up the security of your machine. In fact, the computer company told Reuters Sunday that Windows XP users should upgrade to one of two most recent versions of its operating system – Windows 7 or 8 – without delay.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/04/28/microsoft-warns-serious-internet-explorer-flaw-but-fix-wont-cover-xp-users/?intcmp=obnetwork
Title: Re: Serious security flaw in IE versions 6 through 11
Post by: DoctorQuest on April 28, 2014, 04:19:35 PM
I only hate Microsoft a little more than Apple.

What about switching to another browser unless IE is required?
Title: Re: Serious security flaw in IE versions 6 through 11
Post by: Capn Darwin on April 28, 2014, 04:52:05 PM
Awesome,just what we need after heart bleed. And being a zero day bug we all have been vulnerable from day one.
Title: Re: Serious security flaw in IE versions 6 through 11
Post by: Staggerwing on April 28, 2014, 05:45:19 PM
Get thee behind me, IE!
Title: Re: Serious security flaw in IE versions 6 through 11
Post by: mirth on April 28, 2014, 07:14:00 PM
Good ole Internet Exploder.
Title: Re: Serious security flaw in IE versions 6 through 11
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on April 29, 2014, 09:58:15 AM
Use firefox 29.0
Security is an important part of their mission statement.

It is also fast.