George,
Though I am not affected by the problem to which this thread is directed
at, I do agree with your comments.
The bulk of security problems related to Microsoft's Internet Explorer
browser are easily avoided by using another browser, and disabling certain
features in IE-enabled applications (such as the "Preview Pane" in Microsoft
Outlook Express). A switch of browsers is perhaps the most effective way to
avoid security problems that are related to IE. My suggested browser is
Mozilla Firefox, available from
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox.
While it doesn't natively support Java or ActiveX, this can be seen as a
plus; most websites do not implement these types of components (only
JavaScript, which is supported, and somewhat customizeable with Mozilla's
browsers).
As a developer, and network administrator, I keep my system focused on
security. I scan regularly with several tools to check for viruses, adware
and spyware, etc., and, with the exception of upgrading to IE6 and Windows
Media Player (anything above my current 6.4), I always apply
security-related and most other critical updates. In addition, I don't use
my Administrator account unless I have a certified or trusted application,
or need to make system-wide changes. I always run applications under my
interactive logon account, which is a Power User account. This is a highly
recommended technique for anyone, as it allows most applications to run, but
only under the context of the current user, not the system (so **most**
viruses can't do anything to your entire computer, and all of your user
accounts).
-AOTChronoTrigger
Yes Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 exacerbates the issue but it is
actually not unique to that browser. But it would be best to try my
suggestion first before you do anything elese. My "fix" is easliy undone if
it does no good. Furthermore if it does nothing then returning IE to a
previous version likely won't help. But you can if you want to of course.
The security issue is actually well shall I say, wrong. You can be just as
secure in IE 5.5 IE 5 as you can be in IE 6. Likely even more since the
threats these days are directed towards IE 6. It is issues such as Outlook
Express that have most of the security issues and all those cumulative
updates that have been released for IE 6 security issues have had their
related releases also for IE 5 and 5.5. Just having IE 6 doesn't make you
any more secure then the others. Cumulative updates are still necessary.
We may read many here who disagree with my comments about the security of IE
5 and 5.5. My suggestion in that case is not to follow my suggestions. -
Mmmm....
