I thought it wouldn't hurt to share this piece with everyone here. Regards, Phil -------- Original Message -------- Subject: ipn Active-X - Easy Security Tests Date: Sat, 04 Sep 1999 11:42:35 -0700 From: Scott Rainey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: http://www.webwheels.com Newsgroups: pdx.computing As you know, there are problems with Microsoft's ActiveX controls. Highly dangerous problems. Many are still awaiting patches from Microsoft. Microsoft has, to date, been fairly quiet about publishing the fixes. Today I want to nominate "Richard M. Smith" <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> for an: Internet Medal of Honor. He has created a public service Webpage that lets you test your copy of IE4 or IE5 to see which dangerous ActiveX controls have been left turned on. Leaving these controls turned on, is the internet equivalent of parking in a very bad neighborhood and leaving your full keychain - including the keys to your house, boat, airplane, and office - in the ignition. Here is the URL: http://www.tiac.net/users/smiths/acctroj/axcheck.htm Richard and I think the best solution for right now is to turn off ActiveX in IE4 and IE5. Richard has posted Instructions on how to do that at: http://www.tiac.net/users/smiths/acctroj/howto.htm You can also refrain from using MS Internet programs and use instead the equally free products from http://www.netscape.com Why? Because "bad guys" can use these controls to do all sorts of nasty stuff to you from: Web pages HTML E-mail messages Newsgroup messages - yes, even newsgroups The Affected products are: Internet Explorer Outlook Eudora Outlook Express Note: the test page requires IE4 or IE5. Netscape users are safe because Navigator does not support ActiveX controls. You may wish to share this info.... with people you like. ___________________________________________________________ This list is sponsored by PEAK,Inc. ISP and Education Center Public Electronic Access to Knowlege,Inc http://www.peak.org 850 SW 15th Street, Corvallis Oregon 97333 (541) 754-7325
