Don't use Internet Explorer

[TerryW]

This was on the BBC website today (Tuesday 16th December)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7784908.stm

Serious security flaw found in IE

Users of the world's most common web browser have been advised to switch to a rival until a serious security flaw has been fixed.

The flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control of people's computers and steal their passwords, internet experts say.

Microsoft is investigating the problem and preparing an emergency software patch to resolve it, it says.

Internet Explorer is used by the vast majority of the world's computer users.

"Microsoft is continuing its investigation of public reports of attacks against a new vulnerability in Internet Explorer," said the firm in a security advisory alert about the flaw.

Microsoft says it has detected attacks against version seven of the browser - its most widely used edition.

But the company warned that other versions were also potentially vulnerable.

As many as 10,000 websites have been compromised since last week to take advantage of the security flow, said antivirus software maker Trend Micro.

The websites have been mostly serving up programs that steal computer game passwords, but the flaw could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals", a Trend Micro security researcher said on Monday.

[Baldy Barry]

Glad I'm on Firefox then Terry !

[blondegirl]

Same here... our son sorted ours out for us with firefox and norton etc.  He told me not to use IE, I didnt know why.

[Geoff]

For the techies (or merely curious) amongst you, the full info can be found here http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx
but basically this is a Trojan called "Win32/VB.IQ" which is dropped onto your computer when you visit a website that has been infected. The trojan opens a "backdoor" which allows them to get to your data. The Trojan files can be detected by any good Anti-Virus program, so as long as you run an Anti-Virus scan every day when you finish in the Internet it will be found.

[Erja]

I have bee a Firefox girl for years, but at work they insist on the evil Bill Gates empire product, but I am sure they have made precautions accordingly.

On my PC I have the FREE AVG virus protection and FREE Zone alarm to keep the intruders at bay for the cost of £00.00

[Baldy Barry]

Erja , great mind's etc !
AVG and Zone Alarm on here too.
Just bought a pc for Christmas pressie for Jack.
What are those salesmen like in Pc World trying to sell you the warranty !?
Took extreme effort to keep my temper down and say,
"No warranty ! No extras ! Don't want your anti virus , just gimme the bloody computer ,I want to go home now !"

[Corfusoon]

Hi Guys

Problem was fixed at 6 pm last night.

Download your Microsoft Updates to correct.

Start/ Programs/ Windows Update.

Oh er nearly gave away my day job.

F