Curse

Amy Awien · Dec 18, 2008, 12:14 PM // 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunntar

I guess that depends on the nature of the hack ...

The Yahoo! link explicitly says it is about "... any password stored or entered using the browser..."

But the MS advisory talks about Remote Code Execution.

See also: http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/871 -- http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archiv...phy-sites.aspx -- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS08-078.mspx

Or just switch to another browser.

Fril Estelin · Dec 18, 2008, 01:22 PM // 13:22

What's really bad about Microsoft is the "monoculture". IE is not so good, Firefox is much better. Yet I hate when people speak as if Firefox should be the new "monoculture". It shouldn't, the same way Microsoft shouldn't. There are lots of reasons why you'd prefer IE to Firefox in a business environment (bug-free is in the top5 but not always in position 1; and Firefox is not bug-free, heard of click-jacking? first tab-hacks were on Firefox!).

There's a difference between strongly advising people to use Firefox, including taking the time to show them how to do it (I did a lot of that personally), and promoting Firefox by bashing Microsoft/IE and ridiculising its users. You don't run a program because it's "cool", and you can't be demonstrated how good Firefox by just reading arguments on a piece of paper. Somer users won't jump ship because they're not tech-savvy, so help them instead of pointing to the obvious.

And use Automatic Update in Windows, a patch was sent this night.

Lykan · Dec 18, 2008, 01:47 PM // 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenix

If you use Internet Explorer, you both deserve to be hacked, and deserve to have all your GW stuff stolen.

This, and if your dumb enough to use the same passwords and email for GW as you do for forums as well.

BabyJ · Dec 18, 2008, 02:02 PM // 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Alvito

One plug here for Opera. Good product, and unlike Firefox its market footprint is small enough that no one in their right mind would waste their time hacking it

Another Opera user here!

Although I still have IE and use it for school to check grades, just because other browsers aren't compatible. But during the holiday break they are adding firefox as a compatible browser in which case the IE will get the boot.

cataphract · Dec 18, 2008, 02:06 PM // 14:06

Fril's right. IE in business enviroment > all other browsers.

As far as home use is concerned, it's basically "whatever browser you want + AntiVirus + common sense". Or you can choose to be a FF fanboy and bash people using IE. At least you'll be providing me some laughs.

thelessa · Dec 18, 2008, 03:11 PM // 15:11

The problem is there are still sites out there that require IE only. The only reason IE still lives on my computer is that there is just one site that we do business with that requires IE. So I have the firewall block it until it is needed and then I reblock it when I finish using it.

I usually use Opera, Firefox and Safari when surfing

thelessa · Dec 18, 2008, 03:17 PM // 15:17

Sorry for the double post, lag!

FireFox · Dec 18, 2008, 03:34 PM // 15:34

el oh el....

auch · Dec 18, 2008, 03:39 PM // 15:39

if you use internet explorer anything is possible probably the worst browser you will find.
ur like "omg i accidently clicked a gw gold purchasing link" then you got a trojan keylogging on your computer
then your like "yay im gonna go play guild wars"
and your account info is stolen.

to answer previous post:
yes it is possible to get a trojan, trojans keylogging for guild wars will most likely be on guild wars sites. So i suggest using firefox as IE is very unsafe.
you can't be 100% safe to trojans but alot safer with firefox then you are with IE i'd also suggest using Noscript for firefox to make it extremely safe.

Fril Estelin · Dec 18, 2008, 04:45 PM // 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by auch

IE is very unsafe.

This used to be very true, and I personally advocated everyone around me to use FF until roughly one year ago (including in the security guides I wrote). Now that Microsoft's new security policy has been full-on for a year (it started in January 2003 when everyone in the company had to stop developping and pass a security training which probably cost several dozens millions to the company, but it was about time), they're not doing too bad a job (but obviously FF has an edge in terms of flexibility, configurability and user-friendlyness), as can be seen from yesterday's patch which broke the cycle of monthly patches. FF's automatic browser update is brilliant and, believe me, FF is my browser of preference by far (NoScript is also perfect but makes browsing utterly impossible to the average user, I had also a lot of these experiences with colleagues and friends). But there are both technical and business reasons not to close the door to any program. Monoculture is not good in computing, even if it means "free" as for FF. Security is not a "product", it's not in a particular program. It's rather a process and it needs to be constantly assessed (and Free/Open Source Software doesn't buy you that automatically, ask IBM about it ...).

And tbh most people think of IE in terms of all the bad press it got until a year ago (Vista changed a lot of the security problem, so it's not only about IE). Or worse, they label each Microsoft product "bad". IE is not brilliant, but it's nothing like the "uncool" thing that people say it is. Of course now that makes me uncool to say that, but I don't care.

Shadow Kurd · Dec 18, 2008, 08:45 PM // 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fril Estelin

IE is not brilliant, but it's nothing like the "uncool" thing that people say it is. Of course now that makes me uncool to say that, but I don't care.

I now hate you for saying that. HATE YOU. HHH-AAA-TTT--EEE

Regina Buenaobra · Dec 18, 2008, 10:18 PM // 22:18

Pretty much agreed on the advice of people here regarding browser security and safe browsing habits. If you must use Internet Explorer, keep it updated to the latest version. But strongly consider using another browser like Firefox, Opera, Chrome, or Safari. Here at work, we use Firefox.

Age · Dec 18, 2008, 11:16 PM // 23:16

I use IE and I do have FF installed but I use IE as I use it at work.I find with FF you need to install all the plug ins like no script and ad block plus iof not you will get possible spyware on your system as I installed FF amnd found spyware by using spybot search and destroy.

The best thing always clear browser history and immunise using spybot s&d.

You don't have to install plug ins for IE.It is all set up for you.The smart thing is never keep your browser open all the time when playing GW.

Smile Like Umean It · Dec 18, 2008, 11:39 PM // 23:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelessa

The problem is there are still sites out there that require IE only.

This doesn't help?

thelessa · Dec 18, 2008, 11:55 PM // 23:55

Hmmm have not seen this before, we don't have to use IE very often at this one site, just when we have to upload pictures, but this is worth a try if it will work. Thanks

Apoc · Dec 19, 2008, 12:30 AM // 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by cataphract

As far as home use is concerned, it's basically "whatever browser you want + AntiVirus + common sense". Or you can choose to be a FF fanboy and bash people using IE. At least you'll be providing me some laughs.

Same thoughts.

Oh and another Opera user here.

fenix · Dec 19, 2008, 01:16 AM // 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

Pretty much agreed on the advice of people here regarding browser security and safe browsing habits. If you must use Internet Explorer, keep it updated to the latest version. But strongly consider using another browser like Firefox, Opera, Chrome, or Safari. Here at work, we use Firefox.

This just made my entire day. <3

AKB48 · Dec 19, 2008, 06:53 AM // 06:53

Conclusion: Never use IE unless you absolutely 100% need to. Otherwise explorers like firefox are much better.

In before close

the_jos · Dec 19, 2008, 12:13 PM // 12:13

My *cough* advise would be that players should use a Mac for browsing and a PC for playing GW.
It would be hard to develop a password stealer that downloads on the Mac and magically transfers itself to the PC to steal passwords. But for some reason this isn't practical.

You won't be 100% secure, not if you use IE, Chrome, Safari or Firefox (which also has a not that good track-record security wise, something many aren't aware of).

thelessa · Dec 19, 2008, 12:18 PM // 12:18

Well getting a second computer is not always cost effective and very few macs are cheap enough to just buy for browsing.