Germany warns against use of Firefox browser

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23-03-2010, 02:14 AM
melvbot

Germany warns against use of Firefox browser

The German government has warned its citizenry against the use of the Firefox browser due to security issues.
The warning from the Federal Office for Information Security is an echo of a similar pronouncement it made against Internet Explorer in January.
The office warned that the Firefox vulnerability, confirmed by Firefox makers, could allow hackers to run malicious programs on users' computers.
A version of Firefox to be released at the end of the month will fix the bug.
A "beta" or test version of that release, Firefox 3.6.2, is already available but has not yet been fully tested.
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has recommended that users stop using Firefox until the tested fix is released - in a move remarkably similar to the January announcement, in which France followed suit just days later.
Fox swap?
The Firefox vulnerability was confirmed by maker Mozilla last week on its security blog, when it promised that the next official release would address the issue.
It is only the current version, Firefox 3.6, that is affected, and given that prior releases have different vulnerabilities, reverting to an older version of the browser is ill-advised.
Switching to a different browser may not be a good solution either, said Graham Cluley, senior technologist at security firm Sophos.
"Switching your web browser willy-nilly as each new unpatched security hole is revealed could cause more problems than it's worth," he said.
"What are you going to do when your replacement browser itself turns out to contain a vulnerability?
"My advice is to only switch from Firefox if you really know what you are doing with the browser you're swapping to. If you stick with Firefox, apply the security update as soon as it's available."
Firefox was not immediately available for comment.

BBC News - Germany warns against use of Firefox browser
23-03-2010, 02:40 AM
Camel Toe

I wonder if there is an agenda since Opera is a Swiss/Austrian/German product.
23-03-2010, 02:57 AM
larvidchr

Us horrible mactards have Safari to fall back on :) explorer is like an open book to hackers and now problems with my old favorite firefox, I suppose firefox will see a strong rise in attempts to exploit any cracks as they are becoming more popular, thanks for the heads up Melvbot :).
23-03-2010, 04:11 AM
norbo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

I wonder if there is an agenda since Opera is a Swiss/Austrian/German product.

Opera Software - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2010/03/1111.jpg

is a Norwegian software company
23-03-2010, 04:55 AM
Takeovers

The fault is with XP and Vista only. With Win 7 you are safe. You could fall back to Firefox 3.5 also.
23-03-2010, 05:02 AM
Camel Toe

^^ Well yes, the stockholders might reminisce of the development days.

The CEO is a Yank.

I'll never understand what a hard time they've had with the market. What are they about 3% now? My favorite browser.
23-03-2010, 06:21 AM
melvbot

I don't think the german govt understands how these things work, nearly every version of every browser will turn out a security hole ranging from minor to critical. Looks like they're going to be issuing loads of these warnings and scaring or confusing a lot of people
23-03-2010, 07:32 AM
Marmite the Dog

Every piece of software that accesses the internet is vulnerable, it just depends on what the hackers are deciding to pick on on a particular day.

The Cherman govt is getting more nanny like by the day.
23-03-2010, 08:09 AM
BugginOut

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeovers

The fault is with XP and Vista only. With Win 7 you are safe. You could fall back to Firefox 3.5 also.

Did you not read the thread?

Quote:

It is only the current version, Firefox 3.6, that is affected, and given that prior releases have different vulnerabilities, reverting to an older version of the browser is ill-advised.
23-03-2010, 08:28 AM
Butterfly

it's part of the game, all browsers have security flaws, fuck even every OS have security flaws (OSX in particular, also Linux)

If we had to stop using computers because there are security flaws, it would be the end of the IT industry

that warning was unproductive, how about teaching users how to use a computer instead or forbidding access to a certain class of ignorant users ? that will take care of all the morons that shouldn't be near a computer
23-03-2010, 10:24 AM
Thetyim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

I wonder if there is an agenda since Opera is a Swiss/Austrian/German product.

https://teakdoor.com/world-news/63621...-internet.html

There was also a german warning against using Google chrome but I can't link to it
23-03-2010, 12:03 PM
SunTzu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butterfly

that will take care of all the morons that shouldn't be near a computer

and the end of TD . . . :lam:
23-03-2010, 03:06 PM
PlanK

Just this very minute got a Software Update popup to upgrade to 3.6.2
23-03-2010, 03:31 PM
Butterfly

using an old version is more secure that all those updates
23-03-2010, 04:15 PM
Takeovers

Quote:

Originally Posted by BugginOut

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeovers

The fault is with XP and Vista only. With Win 7 you are safe. You could fall back to Firefox 3.5 also.

Did you not read the thread?

Quote:

It is only the current version, Firefox 3.6, that is affected, and given that prior releases have different vulnerabilities, reverting to an older version of the browser is ill-advised.

Maybe you read only this thread?

Going back was advice by the Firefox people. Anyway it is all outdated now. An updated release is now available that fixes the problem.
23-03-2010, 04:25 PM
bsnub

Opera is the fastest browser and the safest. I wish more people knew about it here in the states. The facts are the facts. If you go online without common sense then you will get clowned no matter what the browser..
23-03-2010, 04:33 PM
DaffyDuck

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeovers

With Win 7 you are safe. You could fall back to Firefox 3.5 also.

Wow, you're funny.
23-03-2010, 04:37 PM
Takeovers

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Wow, you're funny.

Could you qualify your statement?
23-03-2010, 09:42 PM
Takeovers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeovers

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Wow, you're funny.

Could you qualify your statement?

Well maybe I am funny, but you are talking out of your arse.

I know little about OS, but obviously more than you. This fault is about memory overflow. Fjirefox may be causing it but the OS is definitely involved. So only complete lack of knowledge would make you think it is impossible that the fault can not be dependent on the OS.
28-03-2010, 10:34 PM
Fabian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

The Cherman govt is getting more nanny like by the day.

Just because unfortunately many germans like to be told what to do.

BSI as a government agency may have an agenda scaring people to secure their own funding.