[Tutor] Major computer warning.
Jonathan Hayward
jonathan.hayward at pobox.com
Sun Jun 27 21:33:32 EDT 2004
The following is from another list. I've verified it from other sources,
including http://slashdot.org. What it means is that if you have a PC,
it is VERY DANGEROUS to use Internet Explorer now.
I reccommend using http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ .
Brethren,
The following news articles describe a potentially serious threat
to PC's because of a flaw in Internet Explorer. There isn't a lot of
detail at this time, but given the history of problems, what they
are describing is certainly possible. Two articles:
http://www.theregister.com/2004/06/25/virus_hits_websites/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,123712,00.html
The best way to limit your risk is to use a browser other than
Internet Explorer. There are several good options available:
Mozilla Firefox:
http://mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Opera:
http://www.opera.com/download/index.dml?platform=windows
Netscape:
http://www.netscape,com
Any of these three will limit the risk you have when surfing the
net. Be sure you enable their pop-up blocking immediately after
you install them.
It's also very, very important that you have anti-virus software
installed and running on your machine, and update it on a
daily basis.
You might want to also consider getting a firewall like Zone
Alarm or Black Ice.
Finally, you should, from time to time, scan your machine with
AdAware, which will find malicious programs:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
It does a good job of finding and removing malicious programs,
untrustworthy cookies, browser hijacks, etc.
This problem does not affects Apple Macintosh or Linux systems.
--
++ Jonathan Hayward, jonathan.hayward at pobox.com
** To see an award-winning website with stories, essays, artwork,
** games, and a four-dimensional maze, why not visit my home page?
** All of this is waiting for you at http://JonathansCorner.com
More information about the Tutor
mailing list