Microsoft to patch 17-year-old computer bug

[Chris Thomas]

A 17-year-old bug in Windows will be patched by Microsoft in its latest security update. 

Read Here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8499859.stm

[YoKenny]

See:
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for February 2010
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms10-feb.mspx

[bob3160]

Good thing they're doing it now. I don't think I have another 17 years left..... 

[Pondus]

Good thing they're doing it now. I don't think I have another 17 years left..... 

I think we will see you in here when you celebrate your 100th birthday ......   and then we have avast 8 or 9 ......

[news]

Thanks so much Chris and YoKenny for the links. I'm REALLY glad they're fixing this. Now..let's see what else, someone else will find that needs fixing. People are always looking to find those cracks in the system. I personally am glad they do. Can hardly wait. ^.^

[polonus]

Hi news,

Just something according to the same lines. Source of info: http://www.saveie6.com/ "These days we are inundated with bloated web browsers that overcomplicate our lives. However, there is one eminent exception: IE6. It has been around since 2001 and is still one of the most powerful and versatile browsers available. This is why we want to achieve the following: * Get everyone to use IE6 * Get IE6 ported to more platforms * Get the W3C standard changed to fit IE" (irony-irony-irony)

polonus

[news]

Now...THAT'S interesting. l500+ signatures. Far more than I would have thought to sign. Thanks so very much Polonus for the link! Just as you will always have those that refuse to give up the older operating systems, seems the same for IE6.

This browser has been around for a long time. Me thinks...before it is ever retired, it will be around a little longer still.

[polonus]

Hi news,

Well at least Google seems to have dumped the old Blue E 6 version, it does not support that browser anymore. Do not forget that there are loads and loads of IE6 users that aren't allowed another browser because their firm uses the browser as their application run space and do not want to make the time and money to enroll another browser, while on the other hand a lot of firms allow their workers to use two browsers the old IE6 with a long, long beard and either Fx or  GoogleChrome. Well then there are another 10% of people that cannot migrate to IE7 or IE8 because their OS does not allow the migration and because they do not know any better (it is the way to go onto the Internet, I never update and never patch family, that is endangering the Internet with all the malcode they are catching or behind a machine that is owned by a botherder in either China, Ukrain or the States or Netherlands, then there is a community that has a more secure browser, has in browser security like NoScript (a configurable JavaScript blocker extension in Firefox, that keeps the main infesting vector at bay), RequestPolicy to ward off third party requests, etc. So it is a good thing to know that by coming here, you know at least that IE6 is better off at the MS archives, they should have dumped this at the same time as ME.

[ardvark]

Just something according to the same lines. Source of info: http://www.saveie6.com/ "These days we are inundated with bloated web browsers that overcomplicate our lives. However, there is one eminent exception: IE6. It has been around since 2001 and is still one of the most powerful and versatile browsers available. This is why we want to achieve the following: * Get everyone to use IE6 * Get IE6 ported to more platforms * Get the W3C standard changed to fit IE" (irony-irony-irony)

Hi all...

Actually, as far as the bloat goes, they are absolutely correct. IE6 is quite a bit more snappier when loading up as opposed to IE8. I would have kept it when I reinstalled XP on my desktop system had it not been for the obvious security and standards issues.

God bless

[polonus]

Yes, ardvark, you are right in your observations. In this respect that IE6 had not the overbloatedness of the newer webbrowsers. And while functionality with developers always has won over security, you have a sound point there. Alas, the IE6 browser missed protection the newer versions of Blue E have, I never liked BHO's, the activeX concept was a disaster.
GoogleChrome was build from scratch with separate tab processes, sandboxing making it a lot more difficult to hack that browser, but it was not fully developed to install a NoScript extension there, because JavaScript malcode is the royal road into any browser for malware all sorts. RequestPolicy also can prevent a lot of mishap because malware often comes via third party requests.
The GoogleChrome browser as by default is an adware machine and makes it much easier for Google to sell your click stream and serve you up with ads (at least they do not have the need to bundle it with an Ask toolbar etc.). But IE6 had its days, only because of the way it has circumvented standards it is kept on, because a lot of corporations need it to run their applications.
I predict therefore it will be phased out together with the Operational Systems that depend on it or cannot upgrade to IE7 and IE8. On the other hand IE in all its flaws has so many security issues that I only will use it to get MS updates or to keep it fully updated and patched because it is an integral part of the Windows OS,

polonus

[ardvark]

The GoogleChrome browser as by default is an adware machine and makes it much easier for Google to sell your click stream and serve you up with ads (at least they do not have the need to bundle it with an Ask toolbar etc.).

Hi Polonus...

This is unfortunate and the primary reason why I never installed it.

You are correct as well, IE6 will be phased out over time, which, perhaps, will be accelerated when Microsoft finally ends support for it.

God bless

[bob3160]

This is unfortunate and the primary reason why I never installed it.

That makes it your loss.

[YoKenny]

@ polonus

On the other hand IE in all its flaws has so many security issues that I only will use it to get MS updates or to keep it fully updated and patched because it is an integral part of the Windows OS,

What that chart says to me is that US users of IE are the most lax in keeping IE up to date.

Test results
• Internet Explorer bait & switch race condition - passed
• Internet Explorer createTextRange arbitrary code execution - passed
• Windows MDAC ADODB ActiveX control invalid length - passed
• Adobe Flash Player video file parsing integer overflow - passed
• XMLDOM substringData() heap overflow - passed
• Apple QuickTime MOV file JVTCompEncodeFrame heap overflow - passed
• Apple QuickTime 'QTPlugin.ocx' ActiveX Control Multiple Buffer Overflows - passed
• Window location property cross-domain scripting - passed
• Internet Explorer XML nested SPAN elements memory corruption - passed
Congratulations! The test has found no vulnerabilities in your browser!

http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/index.php

[Chris Thomas]

IE 6 ------ people are trying to save it?

I am surprised!

I think this is all a show

Check their second page

http://www.saveie6.com/compare.php

See their comparison chart



I think, this is a joke  

Or

Maybe they are right

[YoKenny]

@ Chris Thomas

SaveIE6.com was put together as an April Fool’s joke

April Fool's Jokes and Pranks

Generally speaking the day is spent trying to get people to believe in falsehoods or otherwise run a "fools" errand or unnecessary action.

Good "fooler's" take advantage and try to get their victim early as possible so that they don't realize they are being fooled. Prepare well and try to plan your day trying to get people to believe in falsehoods or otherwise run a "fools" errand or unnecessary action.

http://www.aprilfool.com