Microsoft patches IE security hole, human rights activities fully resume
By Darren Murph 
posted January 21st 2010 6:22PM
posted January 21st 2010 6:22PM
posted January 21st 2010 6:22PM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
@Redon Gor
yup. new comment system is better, but i hate just about everything else.
I fix a lot of computers that end up with viruses and when I see IE on the desktop as the default browser, I just kindly let the person know that I'll be deleting it from the desktop, blocking it from launching and installing an alternative that they'll be pleased with. IE died a long long time ago in my opinion. Sucks that it's still needed though for browser-based software which is a whole other topic.
@Plazmic Flame
Maybe suggest/explain instead rather than treating everyone like idiots?
In my experience, the vast majority of malware/viruses (and tbh, it's mostly malware these days) isn't caused by security holes. It's caused by people being tricked into downloading and running software.
As far as I can see, there is little difference between any of the major browsers in handling this issue. In fact, for inexperienced users, IE8 is probably safer by default than most.
A pain in the ass for people who know what they are doing, but hey, if people don't explain stuff then there won't be many of them about.
I feel naked web browsing without Firefox setup the way I like it, but IE8 REALLY IS OK.
@Wolfticket IE8 also had the hole, and many before that, how OK is that in your book? Are you a hacker?
@Plazmic Flame
Right... just using IE is the reason their system has viruses...
You're a fan of Steve Jobs aren't you.
IE 8 is my browser of choice.
One reason I love Firefox over IE (or even Chrome) is the use of the Bookmarks toolbar when using it with drop-down folders. With Firefox, you can click one folder, then scroll over to the other folders without having to re-click each one. IE and Chrome force you to re-click each time to see your list of bookmarks/favorites.
"Opera" huh-huh-huh...
still use Internet Exploiter at work, need it for PACS
Other than that, Firefox all the way!
Oh, that must be that update I just hid.
There should be some sort of head of the internet to ban the use of Internet Explorer. Seriously. Failing that, because it's the bane of every web developer's existence, they should all come to the agreement to stop developing for all the loopholes in web standards created at the whim of the IE team. Eventually, people will *have* to make the switch away from it.
I'm not saying that there aren't security holes in other browsers, and as IE's reign slowly draws to an end, you already see people shifting focus to other browsers (notably Firefox) for their loophole finding goodness, but come on...
One day there will be a head of the internet, a day later internet will be gone.
@KupoCheer
Once Microsoft finally drops ActiveX, IE will be Obsolete
And the fix is so simple.
Get your Web Developer off his Mac and get to it!
Already got patched from a link in a chinese email I got.
Man you guys are hard on IE. Firefox takes long to load and hogs the memory. Firefox can't last long when its fighting with the company that pays for it. Google's going to stop giving them so much money some time soon.
Chrome does not have any sort of protection in it and I cant trust google with data. Sure its improving everyday.
Despite its flaws IE8 has features that both firefox and chrome lack. It's patched automatically....
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2351669,00.asp
I'm a Firefox fanboi, but Engadget needs to relax a bit on their anti-Microsoft crusading. Firefox was hit pretty hard with security concerns through its development as it merely approached 25% market share.
Holding the lion's share of the market comes with unique challenges.
How about all engadget users go on strike against IE, so we don't get hacked? IE Is so insecure and if it wasn't for ActiveX I'd have uninstalled it already. But every browser is still vulnerable to human error.
"Whats this? My computer Is insecure? Install!" - Common User
Warning to all MS Keyboard users (Who use IntelliType or not)
This Patch Disables Your Keyboard.
I Tested with a Wireless Comfort 4000, a Natural, and some cheap MS one... all of them are disabled after installation.
Just a heads up.
@Pizzaboy192 disabled what feature? I'm pressing buttons here and everything seems to work fine.
@Ducman69 It completely killed my keyboard, It would respond to the "F Lock" key, but not numlock, or any other keypress.
I tried submitting a keypresss (recreated it on my laptop, and another desktop on another OS) but MS'S support site is down =(
@Ordeith
exactly! because who uses Safari?
Why are some people using IE still. There much better and more customizable browsers like Google Chrome browser and Mozilla Firefox out there. Personally i would suggest to move to a new browser.
@bubs353 : I just like IE8, because it's plain and simple. Not everyone is into making their browser a super browser. There are also a few IE-only add-ons that I prefer to use, and I really like IE8's Accelerators feature.
@Quikboy
Yea you are right, Some people would want simple and plain while others would want to explore to the furthest. And I'm sure you would know about this but for who doesn't i would just mention that there are add-ons we can use to even view IE-only web pages for Firefox and Chrome. And Cleeki is nice Accelerator for Firefox.
Hahaha, superior. Nice tag. Opera ftw.
Seriously, IE is not that bad.. sure nothing is perfect and im sure it is quite safe. I mean nothing is really.... huh that was odd... anyway, I use IE a LOT and never really had... damn this pop up box wont go away.... oh whew it is just some foreign Anti-Virus scanner i'll just click on it.....
☼►♪♂◄ÿóâ 4ôÑ ... . .. . . ↨↔$#M ÜóyæÜÑ Æb... .. . .
Agree with Plazmic, and wonder if all the Engadget guys are either fired from MS or are paid to use such harsh words whenever there is some issue with MS products...pretty soft with Apple 'always'.
oh look emma watson ...
Are you believe for International Jobs : http://www.subscribeforjobs.neat.name
Receive Jobs in Email.