Microsoft To Plug Devastating Browser Download Hole

Newsbytes ^ | 12/12/2001 | Brian McWilliams

[toupsie]

Mac users of Microsoft Internet Explorer are not affected by this massive security hole. Windows users might want to switch to Netscape, Mozilla or Opera. Better yet, get a Mac! Or you could save your investment in Intel hardware and go with Linux

[Mid-MI Student]

Better yet, get a Mac!

For a direct download link try store.apple.com

[HAL9000]

--- Welcome to Microsoft ---

Proudly Cranking Out
Low-Quality Crap
Everyday!

[Texaggie79]

Actually they just start out cranking out crap. But after a few years of using us as beta testers, it actually becomes good quality. Learn to ride the wave baby. :-)

[dandelion]

I'm already using Netscape, and I'm fiddling with Linux. And I'm gloating - can you hear me? (Gloat gloat)

[RadioAstronomer]

Naw, just run AnalogX Script defender, A good firewall, realtime Trojan/bot detector, realtime virus detector, and a good spyware blocker. I run all of those as I surf and download. Doesn't slow me down at all and my computer is better protected for it also. p.s. This is even behind a hrdware firewall box.

[Diddle E. Squat]

So I take it that just the ZoneAlarmPro(paid for version) isn't enough? I'm a male computer blonde, I'll admit it.

[Bush2000]

For a direct download link try store.apple.com

I can't use a Mac. I'm heterosexual.

[Dominic Harr]

Interestingly enough, their brand new '.NET' Passport scheme just brought their Microsoft Gaming Zone to it's knees.

Shut the entire thing down.

Users got a message, "The Zone is now a Microsoft® .NET Passport site! Your existing Zone Account still works, but to play you must first sign in to .NET Passport or register for a new .NET Passport account. .NET Passport provides many benefits, including a shared sign-in through all .NET Passport sites and free accounts on other sites, such as Money Central and MSN Chat.

Click on the .NET Passport Sign-in button to sign in to .NET Passport or register for a new .NET Passport account.

If you are already signed in and don't wish to sign out, click your browser's Back button to return to the previous page. If you wish to sign out, click the .NET Passport button below.

And the thing would crash when you tried to get in.

MS's 'new and improved' internet, for your entertainment.

[RadioAstronomer]

Not even! Two things you should consider. 1) The program Ad-Aware, and 2) a good trojan detector. I am at work or I would point you to the free links. When I get home in the morning, I will freep mail you with all of the information. :)

[JoeSchem]

I wonder if the Flying Monkeys here on Free Republic will seriously admit that the Wicked Wizard's software has a flaw, or if they'll try to distract with feeble wisecracks questioning the intelligence, sexuality and patriotism of anyone who uses non-Microsoft products.

[Dominic Harr]

Interestingly enough, on the Zone, you can log in as 'guest' and play the Java games just fine. It's just all your 'account' info -- that has been migrated to Passport -- that is down.

I wonder how many years it will be before MS works all the serious bugs out of .NET?

If they're still having so much trouble perfecting a Web Browser, after going on a decade of making them?

[butter pecan fan]

"Microsoft. We exchange crap for billions of dollars. Who can argue with a business plan like that?"

"Microsoft Internet Exploder. We've "fixed" it a few hundred times, and the damn thing still doesn't work right."

[Knitebane]

I thought this was particularly funny.

Scroll down to the listing for Downloads and disable file downloads.

So, in order to be safe, don't use your browser to download ZoneAlarm, security patches, music files, pictures or anything else.

I'm glad I don't use Microsoft anymore. This would even screw up my old habit of only using IE to download Netscape.

Those of us that have thrown off the Microsoft shackles wonder why the rest of you still put up with this crap.

Knitebane

[Knitebane]

You mean that Microsoft patriotism really is the last refuge of scoundrels?

Knitebane

[Dominic Harr]

So this means that MS programmers either

1. thought it would be a good idea to allow the browser to execute code on the client without the user's knowledge.

   or

2. didn't realize that their code would allow the browser to execute code on the client without the user's knowledge.

I can't imagine a paid developer doing *either*.

Which do you think it was? On purpose, or pure accident?

[soundsolutions]

It reminds me of the old saying by the carpenter, “I cut it three times..and it’s still to short”

[Diddle E. Squat]

Hey, thanks for all the help, it is most appreciated. Good luck on the night shift, I had to do that for years(actually rarely was it a steady shift, but rather on call 24/7, daylight one day, all night the next, no possible sleep pattern.) Hope they pay you good for 3rd trick!