Internet Explorer flaw could send your phone bill soaring

[UpInArms]

http://www.internet-magazine.com/news/view.asp?id=3732

Innocent Web users are being landed with huge phone bills, as hackers exploit a security hole in Internet Explorer and connect their computers to expensive $5-per-minute porn lines.

The attack works by sending computer users to sites that change a computer's dial-up settings, connecting it to expensive long distance telephone numbers instead of the user's ISP.

Hackers are also exploiting the security hole to hijack AOL Instant Messenger accounts, changing passwords and sending a user's 'buddies' to malicious Web pages.

...more...

gack!!! sure am glad that I don't use IE - it really is a dreadful program and should be shot and killed and flushed down the toilet.

[silverchair]

1. man, that sucks.

that is more reason not to use IE. micro$oft needs to get their shit together.

[LivingInTheBubble]

4. Seconded.

I do not recommend anyone uses IE. Its insecure and really low on features.

[truebrit71]

2. That's why i switched to DSL...

No dial-ups...

TB

[mhr]

LINUX, LINUX, LINUX

eom

[xJlM]

6. It works, too

I just laugh when I read about the latest Microsuck problem. why in the world would anyone want such a flawed POS os as Windows for use on the web?

[Unforgiven]

9. Ditto,Ditto,Ditto

Dumped Windows 98 over 5 years ago for Mandrake Linux, haven't looked back since.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Try long distance blocking

First time a "dialer" appeared on my 'puter

- I immediately disconnected, and waited till I had long distance blocking on my 'puter phone line

- I have a seperate line just for the puter (dial-up - gonna stick with dial-up, altho slow, it takes too long for someone to get "in" to my puter - hackers love high-speed)

Almost all my friends on-line with high speed have had problems with viruses, etc. - I haven't - and I DO use IE (5.5)- but pay carefull attention to updates and security flaws

- so I be dial-up(slow) and on a phone line that CANNOT make a long distance call - besides the other obvious advantages, I will pay the extra 25 bucks a month for peace of mind and convenience

[henslee]

5. i do the same thing, Concerned Canuck...

I am not to technologically savvy but how much does a 56k dial up connection really discourage viruses, hackers, dial ups?

[LifeDuringWartime]

7. the avatar says it all

www.apple.com/safari

:)

[tabasco]

8. Opera is worth 40 bucks.

The piece of mind is priceless.