spin, spin, spin!

CERT says:

III. Solution. Until a complete solution is available, consider the following workarounds: [...]
Use a different web browser.

Microsoft says:

"Regarding the consideration that users switch browsers, it is unfortunate that the published articles have misrepresented CERT's suggestions, and we are working with CERT to clarify their advice."
Tags: ,

13 Responses:

  1. zonereyrie says:

    If they spin fast enough maybe they'll drill through the dimensional barrier to the mirrorverse where what they say makes sense.

  2. coldacid says:

    I'd like to know how to clarify beyond "Use a different web browser." Perhaps, to clarify that, you have to obfuscate as much as possible. At which it becomes clear that whoever wrote MS' PR is an idiot.

  3. colubra says:

    I always find it intriguing when an ellipsis is used to represent a snipping of text in excess of 100 words.

    • The majority of the elided text also points fingers at Microsoft products and technologies. Just in case you were insinuating something.

      • colubra says:

        I was flat-out saying it. In my view, it's irresponsible reporting to cut a thousand words or so out of the middle of someone's statement, and use a portion in the place of the intended whole. I know I'd get pissed if someone did that to me.

        • jwz says:

          I wasn't reporting,, I was ridiculing. If this bothers you, well, take a hike.

          • colubra says:

            No, you're right. It is a ridiculous situation, without question, and definitely merits ridicule.
            I've been hearing this same basic statement about IE and the feds touted around, without any reference to the link you had in your post. The ex voto declarative statements of these folks were probably on my mind to great extent when I read your post: that's my failing, and my apologies for it. Truly: no offense was intended.

  4. wilecoyote says:

    The ironic thing is that even Slate is recommending to do so.

  5. irilyth says:

    In the ensuing security alert, they have backed off of the position in the original vulnerability note, and dropped the recommendation to use a different browser. Cowardly sellout fucks.

  6. belgand says:

    Well... if I can warp my mind far enough to try and think of it through they technically don't entirely say precisely to "switch" browsers. The text can be interpretted so as to mean that when using "untrusted sites" you should use a browser different from IE rather than switching to a better browser permanently.

    Of course, this also assumes that there is some reason you'd prefer to be using a clearly broken product on "trusted" sites rather than just switching entirely.

    Of course, Microsoft really has little to gain by getting into such a tiny argument since only a very tiny subset that understood the difference would be bothered to only temporarily use a better browser for certain sites.

  7. hafnir says:

    Maybe they consider different dot releases as different browsers? Nah, that's BS I admit it. :)