Internet Explorer is dangerous

[Berserker]

http://nanobox.chipx86.com/ie_is_dangerous.php
Lots of great info at this site for those that STILL use IE

4 out of 5 Internet users use Microsoft Internet Explorer as their web browser. Internet Explorer presents a critical security risk to systems that use it, allowing malicious websites to hijack their computers, infect them with viruses, and conduct identity theft.

It is in the best interest of all Internet users to stop using Internet Explorer as soon as possible!

There are free alternatives that offer quality as good or better than Internet Explorer.

[unhappycamper]

1. I've moved all my friends and clients to Firefox. n/t

[Berserker]

2. Thats a great move

we need to make more people aware of IE.

Claiming that Microsoft Windows system is the best in the world because more people use it is like saying McDonalds makes the best food in the world.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Been doing my best ...

In my spare time I build, repair, and clean computers for people, and when I do so, I explain to them what I'm going to do, starting with a series of questions to determine what they do with their systems. One question I ask early is, "Do you want Firefox or Opera to be your browser?" I don't even mention IE. Since most people have no clue what I'm asking, this opens up the discussion to allow me to offer a little education. I find this has been a successful method of introducing people to the subject of computer security and alternatives to MS without them feeling like they're being lectured.

Some people resist the unfamiliar. With these I offer discounts for my labor if they choose one of these browsers, also telling them that IE will still be there if they feel they must use it, but I won't offer any technical support related to it (for new systems) if they do so and won't guarantee my work on any level for repairs and cleanup. That always clinches it, and then I delete every shortcut to IE on the system, requiring them to go looking for it if they want to use it.

The biggest problem I've found is that too many people associate that little blue "E" icon with "The Internet." People do ask, "Where did the Internet go?" when they get their systems back, or they want to know up front if I'm going to "install the Internet." That requires patient teaching, but it's worth it.

Everyone in my office now uses FF on their home computers as does all my family and friends that have asked me to do things for them. I'm working on my employer's IT department, but I doubt I'll get anywhere. Still, it's somewhat satisfying to submit an IT help ticket with the suggestion, "This isn't a problem with Firefox, btw."

[KitchenWitch]

4. I have finally converted my dad to Firefox

I personally may be converting to Linux soon...

My dad calls me a few times a week with various support type issues. (Maybe I should charge $35 an hour for the calls :rofl: )

80% of the time the issues he calls about are spyware, adware, malware, and other nasties he got using IE. I have installed Spybot, Spyware Blaster and Adaware (free version) on his computer. He does run McAfee antivirus (the online subscription version), but refuses to run a firewall program (he claims he does not need one because of his router.)

So I get the phonecalls..."So KW, what do you think *this* is?" and we go through the run all your spyware programs dance. And inevitably, "Oh, you are right...it was spyware/malware/trojan/worm/virus/adware."

:eyes:

Oh, and he also thinks I am an expert on MS Access, even though I have used it once, for a grand total of 3 hours, for a class.

[RoyGBiv]

5. Firewalls ...

Ach ... I have this discussion with people who've just bought a shiny new router the salesperson told them would protect them against anything, and it makes me crazy.

You might mention to him if you haven't already that hardware firewalls typically do not do anything about outgoing traffic, which means all those little trojans and such that he keeps getting on his system have unfettered access to his Internet connection.

Software firewalls allow you to limit access to particular programs/services and can prevent certain kinds of damage in the event one of these nasties find their way onto his system.

[KitchenWitch]

6. I have tried!

He had ZoneAlarm for awhile but it annoyed him so he took it off.

:eyes:

[unhappycamper]

7. RGB: I'm big on both hard and soft firewalls.

I've been putting ZoneAlarm on most of the PCs I work on, but have a question for ya.

What's you take on the Norton firewall that comes in the Norton security package? Use ZA behind it or don't bother?

How about the Windoze firewall - disable or enable? I've been turning it off if I have Norton or ZA on a system.

I work with some pretty unsophisticated folks, and I want to protect them with the minimal amount of questions coming back at me.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Norton ...

I honestly have no experience with that particular firewall. I've had such bad luck with most other Norton products I've encountered that I haven't even given it a chance. I cleaned one more computer the other day that had a downloader trojan and a fully up-to-date Norton virus checker that hadn't caught it. It had been there for months. Big mess.

So, I'd use ZA behind it. Personal preference and all, but that's it. Of course unsophistocated folks and ZA sometimes don't mesh well when the security settings are set to a high level, especially with one of the recent updates. My mother, for example, had eventually learned when to allow and not allow certain events, and then it updated to a new version. It started asking her all kinds of questions every other second, and she had no idea how to answer them.

Windoze firewall isn't very sophisticated and doesn't allow you a lot of control over particular programs (especially ones made by MS), but it basically works. From what I've seen there's nothing particularly wrong with it. My only real issue is I have not yet found a way to force it to drop pings or ident requests to port 113. It will reject the pings and idents, but I prefer the drop method as it tends to lessen chances of a system becoming a challenging target for a script kiddie.

And, I should add that Norton may be fine. I just don't trust them generally.

[Deja Q]

9. No one standard is a good thing. Homogeny is a sickness.

I never thought I'd get a chance to say that...

[bvar22]

10. I use FireFox, but

have been forced to use INet Explorer to log on to the MicroSoft website for updates. I keep XP for games and graphics and need the latest MS drivers. I use Ubuntu for most browsing. Is there a way to log on to Microsoft Updates without using IExplorer?

I absolutely agreee with you on the ZoneAlarm plus Hardware Firewall!