Germany keeps spreading the browser hate, warns against Firefox
By Tim Stevens 
posted March 23rd 2010 7:53AM
posted March 23rd 2010 7:53AM
Update: Just as this post was going live Mozilla released the 3.6.2 Firefox security update that Bürger-CERT was looking for. Their press release has been changed to recommend updating your browser to the new version ASAP, and if you really did jump over to Lynx we would recommend closing that terminal window and getting back to reality ASAP.
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/nightly/3.6.2-candidates/build3/win32/en-US/
@ACER
Good Job Germany, but shouldn't Germany have warned to upgrade to IE8 when the debacle of IE6 spread out? I mean, it sounds like double standards since they change their stance once the update firefox was submitted.
Before any of you go out screaming fanboy i use Chrome as my browser.
@nickcraze No, because at the time IE8 had 2 major security flaws that were proof-of-concept verified. They were patched shortly afterwards, though.
@ACER
*GASP* You mean to tell me NO browser is secure???? *GASP*
Until the human factor is removed (which cannot ever really happen, since humans design the programs and hardware that make the product happen) there will continue to be issues with all software having exploits. Period.
@ACER
Personally, I'm more worried about Germany.
I mean, it's not like Firefox attempted world domination. Twice.
How is this news? So, don't use Firefox for a week..!? Really?
@forg0tmypen yes but then engadget has to spin it. it's called tabloid journalism. oops did i say tabloid.
@forg0tmypen
At least there is an organization in Germany which cares about internet safety of their citizens and warns them.
What did engadget expect? That they warn about IE security problems but remain silent on Firefox or others? The organization's responsibility is to watch and warn people.
In addition they exactly specified the unsafe version and mentioned that the upgrade to next version will cure the problem. What else they should have done.
Bravo to them in my opinion.
@brrip
When will you complainers realize that engadget is not a news site. It's a blog. They can spin information in anyway they choose if they like.
@forg0tmypen I don't really see this as spin - everything seems pretty factual to me. I love FireFox, it's so flexible - but I'm well aware that it will never be fully secure. This is a good example of a government up-to-date with technology looking after the people who vote them into power. I don't hate on Firefox after reading this, I'm just impressed the issue has been patched quickly, and impressed with the German government for their awareness.
@kjb434
They can spin info however they want, but there's something to be said for having credibility. If you spin so much that credibility is lost, then what's the point?
I say the above as a general principle, not necessarily about this particular site or this particular story.
@kjb434
yes, also the dumb way.
I just updated my Firefox to 3.6.2 just now. My wife is German, I'll test it out on her later.
@pvito Let us know if there is any firewall penetration afterwards xD
well, version 3.6.2 was pushed already yesterday
Government + IT = epic fail
Are we supposed hate this when Germany does it to FF?
@LAY
Yep this was in the news yesterday and update is already out.
Come on keep up engadget!
@fais
That reply was for (Unverified)
Oh no!
The GERMANS!
http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/image/burnsgerman1id.jpg
@stridermt2k
I think you mean "ze germans"
-jp
they are spreading the hate, because they (the gov) aren't able to infiltrate Firefox users with the governmental trojan horse...
One week? Firefox autoupdate already grabbed it for me.
reminds me of Virtual Boy
Mmm that is strange I received the update a couple of hours ago...
Yeah I really don't need any Government giving me advice on which browser to use. Thanks but no thanks.
@Proverb Actually it would seem that they specifically didn't advice anyone what to use but simply put out a press release making the citizens aware that there were risks associated with using an un-patched version of the browser.
It's easy to point to things like this and react by saying it's the government meddling in what you do on your own computer but I doubt that this agency has the power to do much more than give press releases and browser security flaws are big problems that the average person would probably never normally be made aware of.
Perhaps the same job could be done by an independent non-profit organisation but it would take a dedicated organisation to shine a light on this, the media isn't going to care unless someone actively points it out.
@Funderful The question is why is a Government Agency funded by the tax payer wasting it's time and energy deciding what web browser people should use? Governments around the world have become bloated and self serving and it seems they actively seek ways to waste our money on frivolities. No one needs the government looking into this when you can just go on the Internet or pick up a computer magazine and read about it for yourself.
3.6.2 is out, its available for fresh download too: http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/
damn, they're putting IE and the 'fox right up there with scientology!
Firefox 3.6.2 is already out now - Fixes the issue - http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Firefox-3-6-2-closes-critical-security-hole-961057.html
Waiting for the Der Untergang remix to come out for this.
Breaking news from Germany:
DON'T USE THE INTERNET. IT'S DANGEROUS. AVOID IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
@Prevacator Haha, I thought for a moment you were talking about China...
Diese Entscheidung muss respektiert werden meine sehr vereehrten Engadgets und Engadgetinnen!
ich bin ein firefoxer
I've always wondered why Engadget was so anti-chrome. They never talked about the release, and never mention it in their posts. My guess is AOL doesn't want them talking about the competition.
As a web designer/developer I've never seen the appeal of Firefox.
I much prefer Safari for it's standards compliance or Opera for its ease of use / innovation.
That said, Firefox is still a million times better than the IE abominations, but with its quirks it's still just another thing for me to worry about.
If you guys don't (want to) understand the reason for this warning, than go on making love to your flaming weasels; but please stop spreading non-sence like this. Thanks!
@kjb434 Well, they describe themselves as a Web Magazine...
BTW Engadget.com doesn't look half bad under Lynx
whats wrong with lynx?
posted in lynx ;)
Who uses sluggish Firefox anymore?
CHROME, FTW.
Bürger CERT? What, Höt Dög Mentös wan't available?
Godwin's Law in 3...
Here in germany most private users are not interested in what our Federal Office for Information Security is telling us, neither me. ^^ Anyway, I use Chrome, because Firefox is too slow.
It's not browser hate if you warn the public of serious security faults in software that is used all over the country even in most sensitive places.