LFC Consulting - Internet Explorer Security

Internet Explorer Update

On December 16, 2008 a major security flaw was announced that affects all versions of Internet Explorer. The gap in security allows someone to steal online game passwords. However security experts suggest that this security gap can be adapted to steal any password.

You need to patch your Internet Explorer. By now your Microsoft Windows has already done this for you. If you have recently had the yellow security shield show up near your clock at the bottom right of the screen, right click it and read any messages. If it suggests you download or install a critical patch, do so. If it suggests restarting your computer because the patch was installed, do so.

What next for you? From time to time, maybe once a month, you should check Windows Updates for any security patches, critical and otherwise. Click on [Start],Windows Updates, or [Start], All Programs, Windows Update, and click Custom. This will display what updates are available to you. However this solution is like telling you to make sure your tire air pressure is set at recommended settings. However helpful, some people will do it and some will not. 

Here is another suggestion that will allow your Windows to update itself: Click on [Start], Settings, Control Panel. (or else, [Start], Control Panel.)  Double click on Security Center. If your Automatic Updates are not On, please turn it on. This is the minimal security check you should do. From this point on your major security patches will be downloaded, installed and configured for your PC automatically.

Switch Browsers???

The lovely thing about computer software is you have choices. When it comes to web browsers you have at least three choices of very good browsers. I will only mention Opera and Google Chrome as alternatives because I want to focus on Mozilla Firefox.  Firefox is an excellent browser and the one I use from day to day.  Here is a list of reasons you may want to switch from Internet Explorer. (Please note that if you are an AOL subscriber you are actually using Internet Explorer with an AOL front end.)

• During installation it will import your settings from Internet Explorer.
• If you work with many browser pages open like I do, it will retain all the pages when you exit and restore them when you reload Firefox.
• Firefox has a very convenient password saving method. If you are the only one who uses your PC it is very convenient. If you use a shared PC then do not save your passwords.
• If you accidentally close a web site you can quickly access it again without having to search throughout your History.
• It is very customizable with Add-ons to tailor Firefox how you work.

There are more reasons to switch so give it a try:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Rafael Miranda is a computer consultant with LFC Consulting, Inc.

He started the company 17 years ago to provide Sales, Service and Support of PC Hardware and Software.

Rafael services the small business community, as well as home networks and laptop users.

Please call 973-316-9191 for more information.