Internet Explorer: An Ideal Target for Attackers?

Symantec is reporting that Internet Explorer is making it easy to attack users.

Over the last six months of 2006 we have been tracking the distribution of attacks targeting Web browsers. The results show that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer leads with an extremely large margin in the number of attackers targeting it. The primary focus of attacks seems to target ActiveX controls; ActiveX controls are not strictly a part of the browser, but simply provide functionality that can be used by the browser. This brings into question the security viability of Microsoft’s latest version of their popular browser Internet Explorer 7.

Similar to the problems I pointed to in a previous post, Kaspersky: Vista less secure than XP, users are deactivating the security features built in IE as they are with Windows Vista.

With ActiveX enabled IE is essentially as inviting as a car left running in a bad area with the driver door left wide open. It’s an open invite to various attacks and computer systems are becoming overrun with spyware and other forms of malware. These compromised systems are used to send spam, infect other users, perform DDoS attacks, distribute child pornography, and capture the user;s account information through stored passwords and key loggers.

All windows users should be running an updated Anti-Virus (I suggest NOD32) and avoid using Internet Explorer. Firefox and Opera are much more secure alternatives. It’s also important to keep Windows Updated.

[Internet Explorer: An Ideal Target for Attackers?]

[tags]Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Microsoft Internet Explorer, malware, Vulnerability, Security[/tags]