Tech News

Blow to Microsoft, France and Germany do not recommend using its flagship browser, Internet Explorer, and even recommend the use of “alternative browser”.

In France, the Center of Expertise Government response and processing of computer attacks (Certa) recommends not to use versions 6, 7 and 8 of Internet Explorer until a security vulnerability recently discovered, will not be corrected. “Pending a patch editor, CERT recommends using an alternative browser,” states the opinion of Certa issued January 15 last. In Germany, the BSI (Federal Agency responsible for security in information technology) made the same recommendation.

Microsoft does not like the opinion of the agency. Contacted by Nouvelobs.com Bernard Ourghanlian, technical and security director at Microsoft France, said that “the advice given by Certa deserve to be qualified. He explains that “the attacks only affect the version 6 of Internet Explorer included with Windows XP, 10 to 15% of Internet users.

“Unnecessarily scary”

“Under current circumstances, this recommendation is unnecessarily frightening,” joked Bernard Ourghanlian. “Today, Internet Explorer 7 and 8 do not cause problems.”

Microsoft refuses to endorse and warnings of government experts. “There is no need to change browser, advance the security manager, who concedes that” the flaw in this version of Internet Explorer 6, is found in versions 7 and 8, but is not exploitable “.

Until the fix in “some days”, Microsoft advises “to users equipped with version 6 to install the latest version. Last December, Internet Explorer (all versions) represented over 37% of browsers used, according to W3Schools.