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Avoid Internet Explorer, Experts Advise
One cartoonist's take on network security. |
According to DHS, the Microsoft browser cannot protect against vulnerabilities in its Internet Information Services (IIS) 5 server programs, which a team of hackers allegedly based in Russia has exploited with a Java script that is appended to Web sites. The particular virus initiates pop-up ads on home and office computers, and allows keystroke analysis of user information. The target is believed to be credit card numbers. CERT estimated that as many as tens of thousands of Web sites may be affected.
The relevant vulnerabilities in IIS and IE could cause files to open in alternate applications, change the appearance of pages, through such modules as the IE domain/zone security model and ActiveX scripts. Alternative browsers such as Mozilla or Netscape may not protect users, the agency warned, if those browsers invoke ActiveX control or HTML rendering engines.
In the case of TCHS Alumni News, nearly all the complaints received from readers about incorrect performance of features such as forms and embedded graphics come from IE users. Especially annoying is the invisibility of certain graphics prepared in Adobe Photoshop that simply don't show up on pages in IE, even though the HTML (instruction code) that defines the page clearly defines the graphic and even leaves space on the page for it.
As always, these problems affect only Windows users. Viruses and other email and browser tricks are rare on Macintosh, Unix or other platforms. Some alternate browser choices appear below.
TCHS Alumni News encourages readers to try alternate browsers, both for the reasons above and because they each have certain advantages. Even IE is better at some tasks, though Microsoft's decision not to improve it further is causing it to drop behind new display techniques rapidly.
Your editors also recommend that you install the QuickTime plug-in for your browser(s). QuickTime is a technology for displaying sound and video that is much more efficient than alternate techniques and integrates more easily with web sites, allowing us to include more active content with a low investment in technology.
Alternative Browsers
Macintosh: Safari, OmniWebWindows: Opera, Netscape, Mozilla, Konqueror
Unix: Mozilla, others...
QuickTime Plug-in
Info/DownloadSample Content
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