One Step Ahead

Microsoft's Internet Explorer is the world's most common Web browser by far. Unfortunately, it's also the most bug-ridden when it comes to security, and some of its security holes can be very dangerous when exploited by smart criminals.

The latest alert reported by security researchers is about an Internet Explorer security hole that is being used (they think) by organised crime in Eastern Europe. These criminals can surreptitiously install "spyware" on PCs when the user merely visits certain Web sites. It usually requires users to take some deliberate action - such as downloading some software - to install spyware, but thanks to Internet Explorer's security bugs, it can now be done behind the user's back.

The researchers say that the problem is not widespread, but it is serious.
What's worse is that Microsoft has not released a fix for this problem, and the software isn't typically detected by anti-virus software either. So if you're using Internet Explorer, you're skating on thin ince!

This won't be a popular piece of advice, but here goes anyway: Don't use Internet Explorer! I use the excellent Mozilla Web browser, a descendant of the Netscape Web browser. I do have Internet Explorer installed, but I only use it rarely.