If you read OnMouseClick last week, you know that this week’s column was supposed to be about optimizing your computer to run at the fastest speed possible. Instead, I am going to write about something that should be of concern to everyone who uses the internet — which I expect is almost all of us.
No matter what type of internet connection you use, the browser software installed on your computer deciphers code that is sent over the internet and creates the web pages displayed on your screen. If you use a PC running under Windows, there is a good possibility that the browser on your computer is Microsoft Internet Explorer, and by using it you could be placing your computer, and the vital information on your computer, at risk. A serious security flaw was discovered in all versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, but this problem is most serious for users of an older version, Internet Explorer 6 running under Window XP.
In laymen’s terms, the vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer can allow a hacker* to enter your computer remotely and at the very least cause the computer to crash. What has proved most troubling about the problem is that Microsoft was apparently aware of this problem in September, but it released a fix only after the media reported that computers at GOOGLE were attacked by Chinese hackers. It is widely believed that the security breach was possible because of a flaw in Internet Explorer.
While Microsoft has released a software update to fix the problem, your best alternative against future problems is to keep your browser software updated regularly. The most current version of Microsoft Internet Explorer is version 8, which runs on both Windows Vista and Windows 7. The pervious version, Internet Explorer version 7, runs on Windows XP and Vista. While the flaw in Windows Internet Explorer appeared in all versions of the software, the newer operating systems, Vista and Windows 7, protect computer systems in a more robust manner, and version 6 of the software was the most vulnerable.
An alternative to upgrading to a newer version of Internet Explorer is to use one of the other available browsers, the most popular of which is Firefox. Firefox is very powerful, sports a user friendly interface, and and most users who have switched to Firefox claim they would never use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer again. As with all browser software, security flaws are periodically discovered in Firefox, but the developer, Mozilla, has been very proactive in identifying and patching the flaws.
There are three other browsers in common use, Safari, Chrome and Opera. Originally designed by Apple as part of the OS X operating system, Safari now runs on both Windows and Mac computers. Google recently introduced Chrome, which has been gaining popularity since its release in July, and the final browser choice is Opera, a little know, but powerful application that is more popular for mobile devices.
Whichever browser you choose to use, be sure to check for updates on a regular basis. Most browser updates are released for security purposes and by not keeping your browser software current, you are putting your computer, and the vital information stored on your computer, at risk.
Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Opera are all available as free downloads for Windows and Mac: Firefox (current version 3.6) www.mozilla.com/firefox, Safari version 4 www.apple.com/safari, Chrome version 5 beta www.google.com/chrome, and Opera 10.10 www.opera.com.
*Hacker is a computer programmer who breaks into a computer systems and attempts to steal, change or destroy information.
No comments:
Post a Comment