Germany and France vs. IE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8463516.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8465038.stm

You can bet if the browser was German or French this wouldn't be going on.

They are anti-Microsoft generally, and are now using this as an opportunity to undermine Microsoft and IE.

It's all very well saying "find another browser", but other browsers have their flaws. There is absolutely no guarantee that they don't have bugs equal to or more severe than those in IE, either now or in the future.

It must also e remembered that the flaw exploited by the Chinese authorities was specific, and required targetting of individuals to exploit it (easy to do considering they own the infrastructure).

The moral is: when faced with an oppressive regime that controls the very network you are using, you can not trust anything you see or use.

The Chinese have a classic problem of social insecurity rather than a technological one, even though technology was the weapon of choice in this particular instance.

Best regards,
Vulcan.

The problem is that details of how to use the exploit have been made publicly available. Most browsers have flaws and switching probably won't make that much difference, but try explaining to great granny doris why her computer is acting up and she'll start waving fists at Microsoft