When the Department of Homeland Security starts making official statements about which internet browser to use -- or which one not to use, as the case happens to be -- you better listen up. Their latest urging: AVOID INTERNET EXPLORER.
That's right: the DHS, along with the UK government and Microsoft itself, has advised users not to use Internet Explorer until Microsoft releases a patch for a "vulnerability" recently discovered in the browser. If you normally use Explorer for your web browsing, it is recommended that you use an alternative browser such as Firefox or Chrome. SPSCC's IT department has been so kind as to circulate a link explaining how to make Firefox your default browser.
Especially vulnerable, it seems, are those using computers that run on Windows XP. Microsoft stopped offering patches for Windows XP in the beginning of April, which is reportedly one reason that the security threat has emerged.
Is this a huge blow to Explorer? Well, it depends on your sources. On the one hand, w3schools.com reports that so far in 2014, Internet Explorer only accounts for about 10% of all web browsing, beaten out by Firefox at roughly 25% and Chrome at well over 50%. Not everyone agrees on these numbers, however: an article by Reuters cites a source that attributes 55% of all browsing to Explorer versions 6-11. It's unclear, then, how many people are actually affected by the security threat and how disastrous of a problem this is for Microsoft.
Regardless, the safest bet is to steer clear entirely for the moment. Microsoft is expected to release a patch by May 13 at the latest, though it remains to be seen how many users will still claim allegiance to their browser after such an incident.
Especially vulnerable, it seems, are those using computers that run on Windows XP. Microsoft stopped offering patches for Windows XP in the beginning of April, which is reportedly one reason that the security threat has emerged.
Is this a huge blow to Explorer? Well, it depends on your sources. On the one hand, w3schools.com reports that so far in 2014, Internet Explorer only accounts for about 10% of all web browsing, beaten out by Firefox at roughly 25% and Chrome at well over 50%. Not everyone agrees on these numbers, however: an article by Reuters cites a source that attributes 55% of all browsing to Explorer versions 6-11. It's unclear, then, how many people are actually affected by the security threat and how disastrous of a problem this is for Microsoft.
Regardless, the safest bet is to steer clear entirely for the moment. Microsoft is expected to release a patch by May 13 at the latest, though it remains to be seen how many users will still claim allegiance to their browser after such an incident.