Internet Explorer and Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland security is advising Americans not to use the Internet Explorer Web browser until a fix is found for a serious security flaw that came to light over the weekend. The bug was announced on Saturday by FireEye Research Labs, an Internet security software company based in Milpitas, Calif.

My company, IME, works within the industry of Cyber Security and deals with issues of Cyber Terrorism. So, why is the Department of Homeland Security involved? Your personal data and the transfer of money to fund terrorism. It is this simple!

"We are currently unaware of a practical solution to this problem," the Department of Homeland Security's United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team said in a post Monday morning. It recommended that users and administrators "consider employing an alternative Web browser until an official update is available." Because the hack uses a corrupted Adobe Flash file to attack the victim's computer, users can avoid it by turning off Adobe Flash. "The attack will not work without Adobe Flash," FireEye said. "Disabling the Flash plugin within IE will prevent the exploit from functioning."

So, if you haven't already turned off Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash, please do so. The DHS is doing everything possible to rectify the situation but it still is a situation. "We are currently unaware of a practical solution to this problem," the Department of Homeland Security's United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team said in a post Monday morning. It recommended that users and administrators "consider employing an alternative Web browser until an official update is available." Because the hack uses a corrupted Adobe Flash file to attack the victim's computer, users can avoid it by turning off Adobe Flash. "The attack will not work without Adobe Flash," FireEye said. "Disabling the Flash plugin within IE will prevent the exploit from functioning."

Until next time,
Twyla N. Garrett