ballot screen warning

General Topics
1

it’s bound to happen, either on pirated copies of Windows, or even on legit copies via browsers web sites re-directions, or just bogus ballot screens

http://vista.blorge.com/2010/02/21/sophos-microsofts-windows-browser-ballot-could-be-exploited-by-hackers/
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Browser-Update-Could-Open-Door-for-Hacks-135669.shtml

2

Thanks for this warning

3

I’ll take the advice of the article authors.

Dave Parrack

Again, this is good, solid advice as there’s a danger that people will move across to Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or Safari and then assume they’re safer than they were with Internet Explorer. Which isn’t always the case, especially if they don’t keep their new browser up-to-date. Let’s hope the Web browser choice screen doesn’t turn into an absolute mess, or the European Union will have managed to make things worse rather than better. And not for the first time.

Marius Oiaga

Of course, in order to protect themselves, users need to be running an antivirus, but also exercise caution when it comes to downloading and installing software that is advertised to them. When it comes down to the “Web browser choice screen” update, Windows customers need to check the legitimacy of the vendor supplying the program if they are not familiar with it.

“Regardless of the dangers of bogus pop-ups pretending to be the browser choice screen, computer users need to remember that no browser is perfect, and whichever one you choose it is essential that you keep it properly patched and updated to reduce the chance of hackers exploiting security vulnerabilities,” Cluley added.

4

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=52252.msg473027#msg473027

5

Logos Is quick to comment but seems to have a Behind the eight ball point of view:
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/behind+the+eight+ball.html

I don’t know if its Valium or Viagra needed ???

6

delete, not worth it ;D

7

Gee, even my Great Grandchildren don’t fight that much… ;D ;D ;D
Smoke a peace pipe you two. :slight_smile: Or, some pot if that will help the situation. ;D

8

@ bob3160

I prefer a peace pipe but Logos prefers missiles… ::slight_smile:

9

same like my last post above ::slight_smile:

10

I propose the whole topic be deleted and peace restored.

11

Here is the orginal ballot screen website

http://www.browserchoice.eu

12

oh yeah, and why would it be deleted, to please you ??? ;D

13

On the subject of ballot screens, I got a windows update notification today with two out of sequence updates (not patch Tuesday) and one for the new ballot/polling KB976002 (I would have thought 976 007 appropriate ;D) Microsoft Browser Choice Screen Update for EEA Users of Windows XP.

For those with XP in Europe not the warning ‘after you install this software update it can’t be removed.’

14

I don’t think I’ll ever see it. Read if you already set another browser (than ie) as default, you just don’t get the update, or you get it but no auto ballot screen prompt… No big deal I couldn’t care less, but it’s probably a good thing to let the masses know there’s something else than ie.

15

Well I have had firefox set as my default browser for as long as I have had this system and I got the update notification, which I declined as I don’t need another browser.

As the screenshot mentions this is “which Web Browser(s) to install in addition to Internet Explorer.” So no switching it completely off as with the likes of win7 installation CD for the EEA.