If I was a hacker... (IE Security!)

[Andrew]

and I provided a link to you and you are using IE, I could hack your computer easily.

New warnings about IE have come out saying it is easily hackable.

For the article:

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=57700320

To test if you are vulnerable (must be using IE to test, I tried it in IE and it says it can hack my computer).

http://secunia.com/internet_explorer_command_execution_vulnerability_test/

So no one should be using IE. Unless you want someone to hack your computer.

[Acriku]

Viva la firefox  ;)

[Dante]

Firefox, it a no working. So me switches back to Internet Explorer.

[Andrew]

Firefox, it a no working. So me switches back to Internet Explorer.

No no no!

It is not supposed to work in firefox.

If it "works" in IE then you can get hacked through IE. Use IE and test the link.

Firefox is safe from this security threat. So use Firefox!!

[Dante]

You not quite understanding. Firefox, it not working! Firefox be broken! Kaput! And Mozilla be sucky browser, so me go back to only browser me never had any problems with.

[erjin999]

I think Dante (will never get used to that name  :'() meant firefox doesnt work for him...

So he went back to using IE. Is that right Dante (:O)?

And yeah, anotehr reason to use FF, although I read somewhere FF has security issues too...

[Dante]

Jah, I went back to IE, at least until Firefox starts shows colour and pictures and anything other than my homepage again. And don't worry. Just as soon as you're used to calling me Dante, I'll change it back. I know exactly when it'll happen, too...

[erjin999]

Darn you !  ;D

And as for FF not treating you nicely, why not make one of those tech support threads and try to get it working. I would love to do my bit to spread FF...

[AMIgaBot]

some1 from my friends got hacked by using firefox . because they have plenty much  bugs.  what can be exploited

[erjin999]

But just like linux, while its not used as much its will have fewer actual exploits, or at least fewer "in the wild exploits" simply by being in fewer places. Inherently more secure.

[nemafakei]

If I were a hacker, I would find and replace to make the appropriate verbs subjunctive.

[slaphapy]

I use IE and i guess im not vulnerable cuz i clicked the link, and no new window came up like it said would if you are vulnerable... that or my internet just sucks.

[Dunenewt]

It only works if you're running XP SP2.

[erjin999]

Hehe, so SP2 is meant to be more secure then and it is the only one affected by this ?

[Andrew]

They issued patches for this problem.

http://www.reuters.com/audi/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=7296545

Dante, I'm guessing there is something wrong with your computer that Firefox does not work properly (or conflicting software). Has it been formated lately?

[Dante]

It's not my computer, I don't look after it. I mean I format it occasionally, defragment and run virus scans; but the general running and upkeep of the machine is outside my control. As a result I don't know what was changed to render Firefox useless to me. All I know is that deleting the shortcut caused it to shut down altogether and now clicking on Firefox (the program, not e shortcut) causes it to open Mozilla Thunderbird. Pah!

[Ice_Cube]

If I were a hacker, I would find and replace to make the appropriate verbs subjunctive.

Thats quite an unorthodox technique....

And in reply to Andrews original post...I very much doubt you can hack my system, lol.... apart from the software/hardware firewalls currently running, I don't enable activeX whilst using IE and I'm on Win2K so that test won't work....

IE can be just as safe as firefox if used properly.

[Emperor Harkonnen]

well I do not think I have anything to worry about, even though I use IE. I got enough firewalls and inernettsecurity to stop whatever might try to mess up my computer

[erjin999]

The idea is that these vulnerabilities get around that by finding a loophole in the programs, so as an example, if you use Outlook it has permissions for access to the internet via your firewall. If there is some exploit that attacks Outlook, and it comes via email, how would all those security programs stop it ?

That is whats been the problem in the past.

If IE access a page that can run code to do damage, how would a firewall help ?  ???

[Emperor Harkonnen]

I have no idea. I got all those programs with adsl when I bought it in september, so I guess they will protect me since they come from the largest telecompany in Norway which is owned by the state I believe.

[erjin999]

We are all possibly still vulnerable if a exploit is found in a piece of software we use. Thats where the patches from compnaies come in to it.

[Ice_Cube]

The term hacking means :

Gaining Unauthorised Access to a computer.

A firewall has the ability to block any connection made to my system, therefor, you could not gain access to it.

We weren't talking about viruses, worms or phreaking....the subject was hacking

[erjin999]

And the subject is still hacking. Hacking using exploits (dunno if there are other ways to hack, I guess all hacks use exploits). What makes you think I was talking about viruses or phreaking ? Worms often are a form of hacking.

Yes, your firewall can block any (and every) connection to your system, but it does not. Thats why you can access www.Dunek2.com/forum, as you did when you posted this. Thats why you can use msn messenger etc... There are vulnerabilities that exploit those parts of our system that is not protected by the firewall.

A firewall has the ability to block any connection made to my system, therefor, you could not gain access to it.

Thats silly, like saying: I can make my house super secure by brincking up the entrances and windows, therefore, no one can break into my house.

Well it isnt bricked up.

A firewall is not the only thng you need to be secure (avoid hacking, before you start to think I am going off topic again). Blocking exploits as soon as you are aware of them will make you more secure then living in the ignorange that a firewall is the only thing you need to have to avoid getting hacked...

[Emperor Harkonnen]

but why would anyone bother to hack into my computer? don't they have anything else sensible to do

[erjin999]

Ask one when you get a chance. I dont know for shure. Maybe its to see if you have any credit card details ? Maybe its to use your machine to send out spam or even to run Distributed denial of Service (DDoS) attacks...God knows, but I dont want them coming near me !