Internet Explorer users at risk.

[Gem]

Almost everyone who connects to the internet is at risk from viruses and hackers who design small programmes which sit on your computer. This can do a number of things including interrupt your operating system and collect information such as personal and bank details.

Those who use Linux operating systems are pretty much immune as it is a dynamic system which is constantly developed to counteract any potential problems. Linux is more of an IT buff kind of thing and, after using it, I have found it to be a bit of a pain in the bum as it doesnt integrate systems very well (eg if I write a CV on linux and try and send it in to someone who uses microsoft then they will not be able to open it..). The other option is Mac which has exactly the same problems and you have to buy all the hardware to go with it (once you buy it you are stuck with it!).

Using alternate internet browsers such as firefox (my preferred option) and google chrome as well as setting up your own firewalls and virus blocking software which includes a spyware blocker should stop these issues (and is the simplest method for infrequent computer users).

Like I said, everyone is at risk if they have the internet but it doesnt have to be as scary as it seems. Set up decent virus blocking software (eg AVG - a free online software) and use firefox, you should be fine.

[Gem]

Ahh, I admit my linux experience is a few years out of date now so good to know.

Gem

[John Headstrong]

... it doesnt integrate systems very well (eg if I write a CV on linux and try and send it in to someone who uses microsoft then they will not be able to open it..)...

Most (all?) Linux distributions include Open Office, the free, open-source equivalent to Microsoft Office. It enables you to save your CV in a variety of MS Word formats: 97/2000/XP, 95, 6.0, 2003 XML, and you can also save it in the non-proprietary standard: Rich Text Format (RTF) or even as a web page (HTML).

I have yet to find anything that I used to do under Windows, that I cannot do as well or better under Linux. Linux runs much faster too.

I also have to disagree with you there has well Gem

I have more problems going from Microsoft to Microsoft than openoffice.org to Microsoft. Like richie said, Openoffice can save and load in loads of formats, BUT older versions of Microsoft office can't open files made in newer versions. This played havoc in with many organisations I work with when the council 'upgraded' started to send .docx files around. It really did reduce people to tears.

plus the fact that a legal copy of office can cost over £180 per machine, openoffice is free and can be installed on any machine, linux , windows or (I think ) mac.

try ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ linux if you have a spare machine, it runs better than windows on older hardware and installing software on 9.10 is so easy!

(oh, BTW, my 6 years olds installed edubuntu on their machines themselves)

[Big Al]

Noooooooo I hate things changing on my screen and I can't even stand updates because things move and I can't find them. I did try some other browser once but I hated it. I'm staying put.

If you do internet banking / shopping etc then you need to ditch I.E. if only for a few weeks. I've used firefox since it came out with no probs after version 1 was updated to 1.1 or soething. we are now into version 3.?? so been with FF a long tie now.

I mention the bnking etc because banks now have a clause in their rules that state if you get ripped off and your achine is not up to modern spec then you will not get reinbursed if you lose money which includes debits from credit cards as well as debit cards.

Obviously if you don't do stuff like ths on t'internet then you ight not be bothered but being the paranoid android I am........

[Millymollymandy]

Buy why for just a few weeks? Yes I do buy things and do internet banking but have all the security stuff like everyone else although my hubby sees to all that as I am clueless.

[Green Aura]

Got something stuck under your "m" key Al. Been eating biscuits at the computer again?

[Big Al]

Got something stuck under your "m" key Al. Been eating biscuits at the computer again?

Biscuits.... BISCUITS!!! it's still the new year and a new diet... far to early to be eating lovely, spongy, orangey, chockolatey, squidgy jaffa cakes by the box full at one sitting ( a 24 JC box full).... Hmm where was I... No the laptop has one of those soft keypads and the M key is stuck on with a bit of selotape and doesn't conect properly...

[Green Aura]

new year and a new diet

B*gg*r that for a game of soldiers!

[Millymollymandy]

Well I just did both in the last week but.... do I have to uninstall IE or just the mere fact of not using it will be OK? I don't understand the problem - can it only happen whilst I am actually in the middle of doing my internet banking or purchasing? Cos otherwise surely anything to do with it (banking/purchasing) will still be there somewhere on my computer whether I am actually doing it or not?

And I feel like I ought to check my bank account but now I can't!

[red]

by now you should have installed a patch (for IE). if of course you have your computer set to accept updates...

the other programs are not infalible!

firefox had major security holes.. and had to issue a patch - that was December - there was a similar incident in July. Just as a for example.

[shiela_robins]

This is nothing new. Hehehe... Always there have been exploits to IE. You'll be safer if you use another, like Firefox, but it's never a guarantee. You're still at risk though you lower the chances a bit. The bottomline is, Windows is unsafe coz it's being used by majority of the world and 'bad people' will always find a way to getting into your machine.

[Millymollymandy]

by now you should have installed a patch (for IE). if of course you have your computer set to accept updates...

Uh? Never heard of that, unless it's a nicotine one.

My IE is 8 by the way not 6, Richie.

My OH is up to date with everything to do with computers and he's never heard of this, and nobody is talking about it on the other forum I use.

[red]

by now you should have installed a patch (for IE). if of course you have your computer set to accept updates...

Uh? Never heard of that, unless it's a nicotine one.

My IE is 8 by the way not 6, Richie.

My OH is up to date with everything to do with computers and he's never heard of this, and nobody is talking about it on the other forum I use.

you know when your computer downloads and update and wants to restart your computer to get it going.. etc..? that is usually fixing a problem like this. They issue them regularly .. and irregularly if something pops up.. like this recent problem. the fix is called a patch

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks, didn't know that. I thought it was just called an update! But then it's all in French on my pooter so it's called 'mise a jour' and I think I've had two this week.

I've got firefox installed now and opened it up but then I clicked on an email of a topic I've been watching and it opened up IE.

So I suppose I will use Firefox for looking at my bank or ordering anything but will stick to IE for everything else as that's what keeps taking over (if I click on a link it opens in a new window in IE!).

[John Headstrong]

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/How ... lt+browser

you are the third person to ask that!