As you know we here at The Global Geek Podcast are always going on about browser security and how important it is. We encourage listeners to use superior browsers to Internet Explorer.

This is a prime example of what can happen. A zero day vulnerability has been discovered in IE 6. The malicious code installs unwanted software onto a users computer unbeknown to the user. It has been reported that fully patched versions of IE are vulnerable.

Secunia, a security monitoring company has given this latest exploit the highest threat level. As can be expected porn sites are the main culprits at this time but other sites are sure to follow. Don’t expect an update anytime soon for IE in order to fix the problem, Microsoft plan to patch the flaw on October 10th - the next Patch Tuesday. They do this every month and only break this cycle if the attacks are widespread.

This is the second known unpatched flaw in IE in weeks. The truth of the matter is that IE is targeted by hackers and malicious coders. Microsoft fails to be responsible for the software they create. Their advise is ensure that your security applications are up to date! Great, so now the user has to protect themselves against their flawed product! Please do yourself a favour and your PC and use Firefox! In addition to this install a great extension called Site Advisor, it lets you know if a site is good bad or otherwise for a variety of reasons. Check it out.

Lesson in Instant messaging security number 001: Never click on links to unknown sources in the message window! This method for snagging unsuspecting users is on the increase. In light of the news today that a new AOL IM worm is doing the rounds. This latest one installs a root kit on your PC. It is called the W32.pipeline worm.

A message appears asking the user to click on a link to upload a picture of themselves. That should raise your suspicions already! But if you do it then your PC becomes part of a "botnet" - a group of computers controlled remotely to spread viruses and worms to other users.

"The worm provides a path for rootkits and Trojan horses to propagate on the computers of those listed on the user’s buddy list…"

 Disgusting isn’t it. I don’t know why people do it I really don’t.

But ye have been warned and encouraged to make what you do safer:

[Source: ZNet Security]

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 21st, 2006 at 12:24 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.