Skip to main content
stian@hugo:~/posts/internet-explorer-security-issue$ cat internet-explorer-security-issue.md

Internet Explorer Security Issue

·293 words·2 mins

Update: The first of May Microsoft released a fix for the vulnerability, also for Windows XP. It is also possible to protect your machine by upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Flash player according to sources on the Internet.

Yesterday we got word from Microsoft that there is a security hole in Internet Explorer versions 6 through to 11 and there is still no fix to this issue. The sad thing about this issue is that it is actively being exploited and that means, if you are using IE now you are at risk.

Microsoft Security Advisory 2963983

What is the risk? An attacker could install software to your computer, this software could be used for anything (stealing your information, attacking other services on the Internet or other). You would not know that it would happen even, you would just be browsing along and it would happen silently.

What can you do? Use another browser is the simple answer. Microsoft is going to patch this in a week or two (next patch Tuesday the 14th of May is good bet) but remember, if you are on Windows XP it might not even get a patch since it is out of support. My suggestion is simply try another browser, some good suggestions are:

firefox
firefox
chrome
chrome
opera
opera

If you never turn back to IE, then you do like most of us. Should you really miss IE just wait until mid-may and you will be fine again. If you really need to use IE there are some quick fixes you could do, one is to disable flash, another is to install Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit version 4.1. You can find more information about that by clicking on the the Microsoft link above.

Sources: http://thehackernews.com/2014/04/new-zero-day-vulnerability-cve-2014.html, http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/zero-day-internet-vulnerability-let-loose-wild

Related

Building the ultimate quiet HTPC

·715 words·4 mins
I have for years been using a mediacenter PC in my livingroom, it started back in the days of the 4Mbit wireless days (before the wireless standards were approved) and up till today on wired 1Gbit with a NAS and dedicated TV server in the basement. All through the years it has been very important to me to have a noiseless computer, fan noise and CD chippering is just annoying!

New version of Firefox

·112 words·1 min
I have been testing the new version of Firefox for a while and I must say it is vastly improved over the last version. Main argument is the new graphical user interface that has been refurbished. Also now then browser support sync of settings between installations.

Locate and wipe your Android

·158 words·1 min
If you have an Android device (newer than version 2.2) and you wonder where it is for any reason, or maybe if you have lost it, or worse it is stolen then there is still hope. You can probably locate the device by using the Android Device Manager. The tools has three important functions: