X-post from "Computers" - the IE hack alert: How bad for us commoners, how long for a fix?

[UTUSN]

I was spooked and tried posting this by pecking on the Kindle screen, which is a pain, then gave up and am taking a chance here. Isn't the hack targeted at gigantic institutions, not insignificant me? Depending on DU answers, and if I'm sidelined to pecking on "Silk"/Safari or whatever it is, I'll be CUT OFF here for the duration!1

I'm totally low tech, have never done anything but IE, so any references to "Foxfire" or "Mozilla" or "Opera" are Greek to me and won't change anything about me, so...


(ASIDE: In some quarters, celebration ensues: "So THIS was what it takes to be rid of him?!1&quot

[UTUSN]

1. Despite my 2ND PARAGRAPH, the first & only Reply in "Computers" was to tell me to do mozilla/fire.nt

[malthaussen]

2. Simple suggestion: Don't use IE.

Unless you're forced to use it by your workplace, in which case the decision is out of your hand, you're better off using a 3rd-party browser. Some people don't like Firefox because of the CEO of the company, but there are other options. A browser is the program you use to search and use the internet. It is quite simple to download and install one on a computer, they are designed to be used by 80 year-old grannies who still have a wind-up Victrola.

Especially if you have a home computer running under Windows XP, you should avoid using all Microsoft bundled software such as Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, because these are among the favorite targets of the people who develop viruses and other hacks.

I venture to post this despite your 2nd paragraph because there is really no other answer to your dilemma. There are a lot of people out there who get their jollies by writing malware to disrupt Granny's computer and make her cry.

-- Mal

[UTUSN]

3. Thanks for being kind, but (repeating) IE is all I will ever use. Have Win7 not XP, a difference? n/

[malthaussen]

4. IE 6-11 are all vulnerable. 9-11 are the primary targets.

If your version of IE is one of those, you're SOL.

MS is "urging" people to download a toolkit to help mitigate the attacks, but if you are not willing to install a new browser on your box, that won't help you, either.

The way the thing works, the attack targets web sites, not computers. You visit the site with IE, then you will be attacked. Do you have any antivirus software installed? They may work out a fix before MS.

Fortunately, since you are running under Win7, MS will eventually get around to figuring out a security update for you. Until that time, don't visit any porn sites. (As far as I am aware, they haven't targetted DU)

-- Mal

[UTUSN]

5. "SOL" = "Sooner Or Later"?!1 Bwa-hah!1 But I *did* have to look it up, tells you something!1

So finally found out somehow I've got IE 11-something. As for the Checklist:

* Antivirus installed: Check!1

* DU not targeted: Check!1

* "Don't visit any porn sites": Well O.K. Check!1


What is downright spooky is that I just got an e-mail from my LOCAL internet provider telling me to click into (their?) website to "activate registration" for their "E-Care products" --- SPOOKY? Yes, I say!1 I didn't click-in, and their phone is off. They have NEVER e-mailed me in years of my being their customer.

[malthaussen]

6. You want to be careful with that.

As a general rule, it's a bad idea to EVER click a link in an email unless you are absolutely positive it is coming from whom it purports to be. One of the most common means of attacking computers is to send a fake, but official-looking email to a customer of a service and ask them to click a link.

What I do in those cases is close the email and go directly to the site in question to see if the message is real.

-- Mal