| France and Germany have warned web users against | | | | recommend the High security setting be applied for |
| using ALL versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer in | | | | this zone. By selecting the High security setting, |
| the wake of the recent attacks against Google and | | | | several features including ActiveX, Active scripting, |
| other sites where vulnerabilities in the browser have | | | | and Java will be disabled. With these features |
| been implicated. One of the attacks allowed hackers | | | | disabled, the browser will be more secure. Click the |
| in China to gain access to email accounts of human | | | | Default Level button and then drag the slider control |
| rights activists. Although Microsoft admitted that its | | | | up to High. |
| browser was the weak link in the attacks, it rejected | | | | It is also imperative to be very diligent in keeping |
| the warning as too strong saying that the security | | | | your browsers fully patched. Most internet attacks |
| threat was low. It has since urged users to upgrade | | | | via the browser are preventable as these attacks |
| their browser to Internet Explorer version 8. | | | | target vulnerabilities for which patches are already |
| Microsoft also recommends users set their browser | | | | available. The victims simply have not installed them. |
| security zone to "high". | | | | If you use Internet Explorer, Microsoft puts out |
| In order to change settings for Internet Explorer, | | | | patches once a month. Your system should be set |
| select Tools then Internet Options... | | | | up to automatically download these patches and |
| Select the Security tab. On this tab you will find a | | | | notify you or install them. |
| section at the top that lists the various security | | | | As to abandoning Internet Explorer, will this call be |
| zones that Internet Explorer uses. For each of these | | | | echoed my other countries ( including the US), I |
| zones, you can select a Custom Level of protection. | | | | doubt it. Most non-technical users aren't following this |
| By clicking the Custom Level button, you will see a | | | | story. Those on whom this may have a effect have |
| second window open that permits you to select | | | | most likely grown to prefer Mozilla's Firefox or |
| various security settings for that zone. The Internet | | | | Apple's Safari browser anyway. Maybe this will |
| zone is where all sites initially start out. The security | | | | increase their market share, but for now Microsoft is |
| settings for this zone apply to all the web sites that | | | | still King of the Hill. |
| are not listed in the other security zones. I | | | | |