IE8: Safest Browser in the Internet Explorer Range

Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) is the latest iteration of the Microsoft-developed web browser. It has more features than IE6 and IE7, it is faster than IE6 and IE7, and it is definitely safer to use than IE6 and IE7. Why just the other day Microsoft announced it is aware of a new vulnerability that could allow for remote code execution should someone be able to exploit it. Microsoft releasedSecurity Advisory 981374 to provide its customers guidance on how to stay protected. A video demo on how the vulnereability works is available here(PandaLabs blog).

The good news is that only Internet Explore 6 and Internet Explorer 7 are affected by this recent vulnerability. The latest version, Internet Explorer 8, is not affected. If you want to stay safe and protected, then you are well advised to leave those older versions of IE behind (especially IE6) and switch to Internet Explorer 8. IE6 in particular should be left behind because as of this month YouTube no longer supports it, nor do Google Docs and Google Sites services. Not to mention that if you’re still on IE6, you’re not getting the most out of Yahoo! Mail.

“The vulnerability exists due to an invalid pointer reference being used within Internet Explorer. It is possible under certain conditions for the invalid pointer to be accessed after an object is deleted. In a specially-crafted attack, in attempting to access a freed object, Internet Explorer can be caused to allow remote code execution. Our investigation so far has shown that Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 are not affected, and that Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, and Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7 are vulnerable,” explained Microsoft in the security advisory. -Findmysoft