licentious radio

Friday, April 12, 2002
[12:08:14 PM]

Simple Google trick: Instead of remembering every url you use, type something obvious and hit "I'm feeling lucky". Google sends you where you want to go.

For example, type "Caltrain schedule", and Google sends you to: http://www.transitinfo.org/cgi-bin/map_sched/CT.

That's an extreme example because you couldn't guess it. But how often do you guess and get it wrong?

Surely this is why Google people think a link to an organization's website should come first, even if there is more "weight" linking to a different site.

(I noticed my clever sister using this trick. Thanks, Anne.)

[11:52:27 AM]
Stop using Internet Explorer. It's really that simple. Do it out of fear for your privacy, cashflow, and time.

The quick version of the story is this: IE continues to require a stream of patches. You aren't patching every week. You are at risk.

A large part of the risk comes from Microsoft's equally insecure web server. Imagine this: a hacker breaks into one of MSNBC's web servers, to add some code that attacks IE. You visit MSNBC. The hacker can now control your computer. You do some online banking, and the hacker does some more online banking -- cleaning out your checking account.

MSNBC eventually discovers one of their servers was compromised. They aren't sure when it happened. They fix it. They install some more patches. They don't tell you.

It doesn't have to be your bank account. The bad guys could use your computer to attack someone else. They could "steal your identity" and get you into all kinds of trouble. They could just vandalize your computer. Do you have everything backed up? How long would it take you to get everything back to normal if they wipe your hard drive? They could put files on your computer that are *very* illegal, and call the cops. How much do you like jail?

Stop using Internet Explorer. It doesn't matter that the flaws in Microsoft's software were specifically designed as features to destroy competition from Netscape -- to put Netscape out of business. Stop using IE because you are very afraid.

The way out: use two or more browsers. Do most of your web surfing with a browser with Javascript, Java, and cookies turned off. Find sites that don't require Javascript, and that don't require IE. When you want to buy something, you're likely to need Javascript and cookies. But be sure you trust the web site before you go there. If you do online banking, stock trading, etc. with a web browser, for goodness sakes don't use IE (in particular), and *at least* don't use that browser for general web surfing.

To enhance their monopoly, Microsoft only lets you have one version of IE on your computer. But you could have several versions of Netscape, and there are many other browsers available now. Mozilla is all the rage, this season.

Do you think I'm being paranoid? Do you shred financial documents before you throw them out? (You should.) Do you wear a bicycle helmet? It's unlikely you'll be run over, but the consequences are dire. Decide now to stop using IE.