Microsoft on IE: “But everyone else sucks more!”

Jacqueline DiOrio 19 Jan, 2010 at 12:01pm ET Article published in Tech

In the wake of the Google hack and some EU states recommending that their citizens switch to another browser, Microsoft has some big PR to do to recover the “reputation” of Internet Explorer, which currently suffers from a vulnerability that facilitates data theft. Embarking on their ambitious campaign, Microsoft has begun by claiming that all the other browsers are even worse.

Microsoft’s UK Security Chief Chris Evans says that, “The risk [over this] exploit is minimal compared to Firefox or other competing browsers… you will be opening yourself up to security issues.”

“The reality of the risk is minimal, even if you have IE6; you would have to go to a website running the exploit,” he continued.

Evans’ take isn’t exactly a reassuring response, particularly as there’s no way to know what websites happen to be running the exploit. Further, throwing dirt at other browsers seems little more than an attempt to distract the public from the issues plaguing IE.

Evans concluded by saying that Microsoft is working on fixing the problem, but doesn’t know when a patch will be available.

Comments

19 Jan 2010 ~ 7:44pm Tim See, this is why IE6 is kind of becoming a secure browser. Because fewer people are using it now, and hackers who work their way into browsers to cause trouble are going to pick browsers that are more popular so they affect more people in one shot. Makes sense, right?
19 Jan 2010 ~ 7:49pm Winfrey
19 Jan 2010 ~ 8:07pm ardichoke
You know Tim, I usually just ignore the backasswards things you say. This one is just ridiculous though. Your argument is so flawed I can only assume you're purposely attempting to troll us all. In which case, mission accomplished. I can't wait for you to have your bank/CC info stolen because you use IE6, it's going to be the most satisfying day ever. If no one bothers exploiting IE6, how come Google and 20+ other major companies just got hacked by the Chinese government primarily (by my understanding of it) through IE6 vulnerabilities?
19 Jan 2010 ~ 9:38pm Thrax 8/10 troll.
19 Jan 2010 ~ 11:33pm Tim I don't do online banking.
20 Jan 2010 ~ 1:24am Leonardo

Your argument is so flawed I can only assume you're purposely attempting to troll us all. In which case, mission accomplished.

Yeah, he trolled, and you took the bait. :bigggrin:

Maybe Microsoft does have a point. If the tables were turned and IE were the minority browser, would the recent events been any different, other than incurred on browsers of a different name?