When will people learn not to use IE ever again? Just days after a major security exploit finally got patched in Internet Explorer, another security flaw – this one a combination hack which allows for control of a user’s machine by using a series of exploits – was nailed by security company Core Security Technologies. There has to be a point where Microsoft says “screw it, we’re just not supporting IE6 anymore, and we’re switching our browser framework to WebKit,” yet they continue to validate its existence to millions of users who don’t question it. source
Good idea, better reaction. Uncle Fester, a.k.a. Steve Ballmer, was caught off guard when a college student asked him to sign his Macbook Pro. Without losing a beat, the Microsoft Chairman and CEO signed it for him, with the phrase “Need a new one?” plastered on it in permanent marker. Awesome from all corners. source
It’s the same one that led to Google’s Gibson getting hacked. It’s been warned about for weeks, and Microsoft patched Internet Explorer ahead of its normal release cycle to prevent it, but it’s official – the hack exploited by the Chinese is out in the wild. The exploit was bad enough, but what might be worse is the fact that Microsoft reportedly knew about it in freaking September and only patched it this week. Massive fail. source
Apparently, they did, according to sources. The desktop rivals may be ready to share the same phone after Google overstayed its welcome on the iPhone last year. Apple’s considering making Bing the default search engine, as well as making it an option on Safari. This would show exactly how far the business relationship has fallen in the wake of the Google Voice app fiasco, the Nexus One, Android, etc. Can you imagine using Bing on the iPhone? The more interesting note, though? Apparently Apple’s thinking of creating its own search to compete with Google. Whoa. source
… it became a trending topic for no reason. The world’s richest dude, the Microsoft founder who spent 30 years being incredibly cutthroat before finally giving in to the philanthropy bug, joined Twitter today, in large part because he wanted to help Haiti. Among the 40 or so people he’s following: Ryan Seacrest, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, Wired editor Chris Anderson, CNET Microsoft writer Ina Fried (who’s probably the only transsexual technology writer out there), and “High School Musical” star Ashley Tisdale. Quite the motley crew. source
It is important to note that all software has vulnerabilities and switching browsers in an attempt to protect against these highly publicized but currently limited attacks can inadvertently create some false sense of security.
A statement from Microsoft • Regarding a newfound push for users to switch in the wake of a security threat created by Internet Explorer, especially IE6. Germany and France have already said not to use Internet Explorer, and the drumbeat against the software is getting louder. It’s worth pointing out, by the way, that IE has a much slower bug-fixing cycle than its competitors, so this statement (outside of the general sense) is a load of hooey. Drop the zero, get with the hero. source
IE has been blamed for the massive hack attack on Google and others. Internet Explorer’s long history of being a sucky browser is catching up with it, and now Germany – a.k.a. a freaking massive country – is telling its citizens to stop using Internet Explorer altogether. The security hole found, by the way, affects all versions of IE, although Microsoft says more recent versions are safer. source
Microsoft apparently doesn’t check trademarks before they go with names. Bing! Information Design, a St. Louis-based infographics/design firm, has sued Microsoft for trademark infringement. Something about a search engine. Anyway, the company has been in business over a decade, which is a bit longer than Bing’s been operating. Do they have a case? We’ll find out. (In other news, a small St. Louis-based design/infographics firm is getting great PR this week after they were covered in The Guardian.) source
Now if only Intel could get some of MS’s juju. The European Union has been on the company’s back over lack of browser choice, something Microsoft has responded to by actually listening to them and offering choices other than Internet Explorer to its users. The EU’s response? They’re dropping the suit, and MS gets to roam (somewhat) free. Happy time! source