Latest Version of MyDoom Exploits New IE Flaw

techentin writes " CNN Money is reporting a new and improved MyDoom variant which is spread by a hyperlink in email. Clicking the link connects the user to an infected machine, which exploits a recently discovered buffer overflow in Internet Explorer. McAfee has a more detailed description. Is this yet another good reason for running Firefox?" CNET also has a story.

Comments

CNN Story

[AKAImBatman]

It's pretty neat how far FireFox is beginning to spread. CNN carried this story on TV just a half-hour ago. They mentioned that FireFox was becoming the most popular alternative to IE. My coworkers (who's job includes watching CNN) came by and asked me why this FireFox thing is better. I told them about tabbed browsing, popup blocking, lack of security issues, and other niceties.

One of the coworkers downloaded FireFox right away. I actually expected him to take a little while to wean off of IE. After I showed him FireFox's features, however, he set FireFox to his default browser and deleted his IE shortcuts! I think we're definitely making headway. :-)

Re:CNN Story

[scribblej]

"Lack of security issues?"

Okay, I'll grant you that FireFox is probably more secure than IE. But to say it lacks security issues is going a little further than I'd go, myself. In fact, I'd be willing to bet you $10 that it has security issues of it's own.

Don't sell your friend a dream. Set his expectations realistically. No software is bulletproof. No software lacks security issues.

Firefox f-ing rocks, no doubt about it. It blows IE out of the water. It probably has far fewer security holes. But to say it "lacks security issues" is naieve.

Don't believe everything you read on slashdot. A lot of these people have an agenda to meet.

Re:CNN Story

[That's Unpossible!]

As a fellow grammar Nazi, let me explain that the person you're responding to meant Firefox lacks security issues COMPARED TO INTERNET EXPLORER.

It's like saying a program lacks features. Obviously you don't mean it has no features -- just that it lacks features, WHEN COMPARED TO ANOTHER PRODUCT.

Better the losing side.

[jbrelie]

Let's not be hasty. True, I love Firefox, but IE is a giant honey pot out there for malicious attackers. If too many people switch, they'll start targeting Firefox. As much as I hate to admit it, they WILL find flaws to target.

Re:Better the losing side.

[stefanlasiewski]

they WILL find flaws to target

Sure, but will those flaws in Firefox as serious as the flaws in IE?

It seems like when Microsoft attempted to integrate IE with the OS, IE was allowed access the OS in some very dangerous ways.

For instance, why would earlier versions of IE write files to any directory without asking the User for permission?

Re:A good reason for using Firefox, or ...

[chill]

users could pull their heads out of their asses and stop clicking on links in SPAM.

Bzzzt, wrong answer.

Most viruses come from people you know, since they exploit the address book feature. Most spam comes from people you never heard of.

Thus, it is the links in the e-mail from people you KNOW, not spam, that is the problem.

Re:A good reason for using Firefox, or ...

[aardvarkjoe]

I don't usually get mail from people I know telling me that Paypal has charged my credit card.