Stop Using Internet Explorer Warns German Government Internet Explorer has been blamed for the Chinese attacks on Google gmail and other systems. This article explains the vulnerability. This defect is so serious that, according to this article on Sitepoint, the German government and according to one commenter, the French government have warned against using Internet Explorer. Microsoft's response is that we should upgrade to the latest version and use a high security level. Even if this were enough, many users don't know how to upgrade a browser or change security level. Do you know how to run IE in protected mode? And would you be willing to do so? Consider that a great many sites now-days are not going to function correctly in a high security level. Actually, I'm not sure exactly what 'high security' or 'protected mode' would block. Ok, so maybe someone who uses IE could try it and let me know how that works for you. Ok, so let's say you are running the latest version of IE, and you do figure out how to block all manner of nasty scripting, executables, and whatever... The German advisment is this:

Running the Internet Explorer in protected mode and disabling scripting makes an attack more difficult but it can not completely prevented. Therefore, the BSI recommends using an alternative browser until Microsoft release a patch.

As an individual user, you are probably not in high danger of an attack, unless of course you are a Chinese dissident. So if you are really fond of your IE, i wouldn't worry too much about it. Except of course IE6 sucks. So, upgrade now or get a different browser, like Firefox.

 

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