Internet Explorer security flaw: So what’s new???
Save for a few web design compatibility testing, I’m not an IE user myself. But this recent”major security flaw” in IE7( and probably, all versions of IE) made me gasps in disbelief. Disbelief in the fact that, there are still IE users out there unconvinced about security threats in all IE versions. The poor users now are urged to switch to other browsers (Firefox for example) that are not prone to security holes.
The flaw in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control of people’s computers and steal their passwords, internet experts say.-BBC News Tech
We all knew who are prone to this kind of security threats- end users who have no or low level of security policies and those that are “forced” to use IE7 on some commonplace workstations (like the internet cafe).
Threats like this will pop out like mushrooms simply because IE’s is so popular and that it’s security framework, from the ground up, is simply messed up. So why go for regular security updates when you can use a better, relatively secure, and free internet browsers?
IE is like smoking to me, its the bad habit i dont think about anymore. It amazes me still that people even acknowledge its existence, it still is Microsofts weakest link.
I stopped using IE about 2 years ago when I got fed-up with security warnings. The message was obvious: ‘We are NOT SECURED.’ Common sense.
For one Microsoft was equally quick on “patching” up their “weakest link” -bundle it up with their similarly bloated OS and ram it up to end users throats. That’s why many users were forced to used IE despite their security flaws and never unlearned that habit.
I too use IE primarily for compatibility testing, but we still can’t avoid the fact that the vast majority of computer users are using it. Whether by choice or not.
Meanwhile, I see more and more CyberCafes implement Firefox as the default browser. Probably due to the added level of UI control it offers rather than safety. Ironically, flexibility trumped security.