January 30th, 2004 by Jemaleddin Cole
In Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 833786, the hard-working folks at Microsoft have a solution for the recent security problems with Internet Explorer. Because websites can easily spoof the status bar and location bar in IE to make it look like you’re at a trusted site, Microsoft recommends the following process:
The most effective step that you can take to help protect yourself from malicious hyperlinks is not to click them. Rather, type the URL of your intended destination in the address bar yourself.
Not terribly helpful, eh? Well, Jemal comes to the rescue again. For those of you using Internet Explorer, I’ve prepared my own advice.
Unfortunately, I know that this advice will fall on deaf ears. (Or, since it’s being read, deaf eyes. Or blind eyes. Or whatever.) I myself have to use IE daily to access the J++ applet my company uses for timesheets. Luckily it’s just the one page and I don’t have to follow any links.
For those of you who don’t want to follow my advice, have no fear. Microsoft will be releasing its next version of Explorer in 2006 when the next version of Windows ships. Oh, and you’ll have to upgrade your operating system to get it. And it won’t be a free upgrade. But that’s a small price to pay for security and the convenience of not using a better browser. Right?
Unfortunately, I know that this advice will fall on deaf ears. (Or, since it’s being read, deaf eyes. Or blind eyes. Or whatever.) I myself have to use IE daily to access the J++ applet my company uses for timesheets. Luckily it’s just the one page and I don’t have to follow any links.
For those of you who don’t want to follow my advice, have no fear. Microsoft will be releasing its next version of Explorer in 2006 when the next version of Windows ships. Oh, and you’ll have to upgrade your operating system to get it. And it won’t be a free upgrade. But that’s a small price to pay for security and the convenience of not using a better browser. Right?