A number of recent articles have called attention to a security problem with Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser. Affected systems include Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows NT and Windows XP. On Friday, July 2, Microsoft released a critical update designed to reduce the potential of the IE security risk. Penn State Information Technology Services (ITS) encourages all students, faculty and staff to visit the following Web sites to obtain the Microsoft update and learn about any important related information:
-- Security update from Microsoft (should be downloaded and installed immediately): http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/download_ject.mspx
-- Article describing the problem: http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3374931
-- Symantec virus alert: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/download.ject.html
Although the update will reduce the security risk, some experts advise that there is currently no safe way to use IE.
Note that disabling IE is not recommended since this browser is needed to obtain updates and critical patches from Microsoft. However, for routine Web browsing, alternative browsers can be obtained at the Web sites listed below:
Mozilla: http://www.mozilla.org/
Opera: http://www.opera.com/
Safari (Mac OS X only): http://www.apple.com/safari/
For more information or assistance, Penn State faculty, staff and students should contact a Penn State ITS Help Desk: 215 Computer Building, (814) 863-2494; 2 Willard Building, (814) 863-1035; toll-free in Pennsylvania, (888) 778-4010; or via e-mail to helpdesk@psu.edu.