DON'T use Microsoft's Internet Explorer!!!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 09:44

(...) Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) said Tuesday that the company intends to release an out-of-band patch for a monster error affecting all versions of the Internet Explorer Web browser, which has caused hackers to launch malicious attacks to steal information and take over computers without any user intervention. (...)



Microsoft admits that there is no patch yet to fight the latest Trojan horse (which installs malware on PC's, not on Macintoshes) attacking the browser Internet Explorer. This is not scaremongering: use another browser (FireFox or Opera) until the serious problem is solved.



===> More here: http://tinyurl.com/67pcnm

yorkie58


Joined: 16/09/2008
Posts: 245

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:03

Dutch, can you tell us how to change browser to Firefox. Haven't a clue where to start. Understand if you're too busy or are unable to advise.



Regards

Yorkie

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:10

Go to http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/



download it then follow the instructions you can import your favorites from ie to firefox as well.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:11

RE msg 2, yorkie58 : (...) can you tell us how to change browser to Firefox. Haven't a clue where to start. (...)



===> You have to download one of the browsers I mentioned. The simplest way is to do that via your browser, but unfortunately that is most probably Internet Explorer. So don't do that.



Another way is to download FireFox or Opera via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Do you know how to do that?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:22

I had a message yesterday to say that the problem with Inetrnet Explorer had been resolved.

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:28

No 1



Unless you have downloaded a patch and installed it the security threat wil still be there. I haven't had the patch yet so am on Firefox for the moment



Paul

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:29

RE No1Doyen, msg 5 : (...) I had a message yesterday to say that the problem with Inetrnet Explorer had been resolved. (...)



===> I just heard (Dutch Internet radio) some experts explain that this first Microsoft patch for Internet Explorer is too difficult to use (it goes very deep into your operating system). ===> It should only be done by IT experts. <=== The-easy-to-use solution by Microsoft is not available athe moment (10.30 TRNC time).

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:31

For anyone that does not want to use Internet Explorer to download Firefox, here is how to do it.



Right Click Start Button

Select EXPLORER

Copy this link (Highlight then press Ctrl & C buttons)

//ftp.df.lth.se/mozilla//firefox/releases/3.0.5/win32/en-GB/Firefox Setup 3.0.5.exe

Go to Address bar in Windows Explorer

Remove anything that is in the address bar (like My Documents). Right click in the address bar and select PASTE.

Then Click GO

The download will then start.



Hope that makes sense.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:33

RE Nigel, msg 3 : (...) you can import your favorites from ie to firefox as well. (...)



===> Sorry, Nige, EXACTLY whay you should NOT do at the moment. Leave Internet Explorer absolutely alone UNTIL Microsoft comes up with a patch that can be used by even the most inexperienced users.

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:40

Once you install Firefox it is completely safe to import your favourites from IE. After all these are just links to your favourite websites and cannot cause a problem with Firefox as this vulnerability is with IE only.



The problem with IE is with websites that have been compromised, so not with all websites you visit. Compromised websites have had code installed to use the IE vulnerability.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:49

RE msg 10, AndyP : I disagree here, Andy. But more important, check if you have programs on your PC that may start Internet Explorer as "the favourite or default browser". Turn this option off for the time being. Agreed/disagreed?

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:54

this is a panic reaction hans unless users visit china related sites they are 99 % safe.



http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-073.mspx



http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/ie8/readiness/

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 10:58

OK, Nigel et all, I'm not going to discuss the details and/or percentages. Believe it or not, be careful or not, take your chances or not. I only passed on a warning by Microsoft (which in this case seemed a reliable source...). After all, I'm a Mac-user so I'm not bothered with PC problems (as usual)...

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 11:01

Yes it always better to be safe than sorry hans,

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 11:02

Dutch, slightly off thread, but why do you prefer a Mac to a PC?

batterboy58



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 442

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 11:24

I always use Firefox, it is a better browser anyway

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 11:35

RE No1Doyen, msg 15 : (...) Dutch, slightly off thread, but why do you prefer a Mac to a PC? (...)



===> On your request: off thread... I use Macs since 1983 and was invited to explain the "why?" dozens of times. This time I'll make it easy for myself and you. Start here: http://www.apple.com/getamac/



Furthermore I've been in the graphics business since I left the Amsterdam newspaper I used to work for - without Macintosh there would not have been a graphics business in this world. And certainly not my mapmaking business in Holland. Nor would there have been films like Lord of the Rings and dozens of others. Oh, No1Doyen, don't make me talk how Macintosh changed the world..!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 11:40

Attention AndyP: I quoted your Message # 8 on this 44-board on another board: http://tinyurl.com/5d7rsf . I take it you don't mind.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 12:09

Dutch. Would it be fair to say that someone like me who uses a PC for surfing, storing music and photo's and sending and receiving e-mails, would find a Mac quite complicated to use. I have to own up to the fact that I'm not quite computer literate!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 12:10

Consider to use the world's fastest Internet Browser (made by Apple Macintosh) "Safari" for Mac *** AND *** PC. Read and compare the facts and download this superior browser here (free): http://www.apple.com/safari/



PS. The fastest web browser on any platform, Safari loads pages up to 1.9 times faster than Internet Explorer 7 and up to 1.7 times faster than Firefox 2.



More info about Safari: http://tinyurl.com/6ay6y7

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 13:37

OK everyone. Here is the fix from Microsoft. Just download then install.



http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1b582695-b3cc-4c65-bc4b-d673c9a6d82a&displaylang=en



Msg 11

Most programs will use whatever browser has been set as the default. Very few have to be told this.



Using IE favourites in Firefox is safe, unless you have some dodgy sites you go to. As stated by Nige in MSG 12.



Dutch

No problem with using my post on other boards. Any info I give that can help elsewhere is good.



Mac's = Excellent for Graphics and Music

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 20:08

RE msg 21, AndyP : (...) Most programs will use whatever browser has been set as the default. Very few have to be told this. (...)

===> "Very few..." Bad advice. You obviously know what you are doing, but 98% of the Windows xxx/Vista users don't.



(...) Using IE favourites in Firefox is safe, unless you have some dodgy sites you go to (....)

===> Bad advice again. "Unless...". Warnings are not meant for people in the know - they're meant for people who do not know or realize what they are doing.



(...) Mac's = Excellent for Graphics and Music (...)

===> Nice statement, but very incomplete: how about the film business, printing business (no newspapers would publish anymore without Mac's), radio & television business... ahhh! I give up.

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 20:24

DC



So how come 90% of the world, personal and business, prefer Windows?



Mac always comes across as some alternative unpopular religion with only a few embeded accolytes praising it.



No disrespect.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 20:50

RE msg 23, RobnJo : (...) So how come 90% of the world, personal and business, prefer Windows? (...)



===> No disrespect either: Macs are 3-4 times more expensive than PC's.



PS. Most horses of this world are simple work horses - few make it to Ascot.

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 21:08

Dutch



Not getting in a tit for tat war, as better things to do. But......



My statement....Mac's = Excellent for Graphics and Music



Surely film business & printing business = Graphics

and radio & television business = Music (media)

So why give up and also make a comment that states the obvious????



Don't even reply as I am not being pulled in on this one and will not be making anymore postings on this thread as I can see where it is going.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 21:57

RE AndyP, msg25 : (...) printing business = Graphics (...)



===> Indeed, AndyP, you'd better rest your case. If you call page lay-outing etc in the printing business "graphics" - then we have nothing to discuss. You obviously don't know what you're talking about.



PS. (...) Don't even reply (...)

Who are you to tell me not to do something before I even did it?!! Back to earth, please, Mister Moderator.

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 22:04

Nothing to do with being a Mod!! ;-)

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
17/12/2008 22:18

Andy ..Ir I have automatic microsorft and window updates will that prevent any propblems for me..I am not very up to date on pc,s...