Internet Explorer 8 Privacy Mode Isn't

By James Gaskin  Add a new comment

Pity those users hoping the new “porn mode” in IE8 will cover the tracks left while looking for the uncovered. Once again, Microsoft overpromises and underdelivers in IE 8 and leaves a security hole.

Should we be surprised at this latest security snafu from The House That Bill Built? Only the foolish or hopelessly naïve believes anything Microsoft says about security. Year after year, promises flow from Redmond like they were campaigning for president, and year after year those promises lead to nothing. If you believed Microsoft finally understood real security with IE 8, shame on you.

To be fair, this is officially the beta for IE 8, so Microsoft has time to fix things. The Red-Boys may not be security-savvy, but they do work hard. They can fix this.

But I'm betting Microsoft won't make it work as promised until at least IE 10. Microsoft reacts to criticism with defensiveness first, followed by hard work that actually fixes the weak area receiving the bad reviews. But in security matters, it takes Microsoft an extra iteration or two before the security critics are satisfied.

Perhaps satisfied is the wrong word about Microsoft and security critics. Usually, the security critics go find something worse about Microsoft security to complain about, and the world forgets the earlier problem. I wonder what the next “security sky is falling” screams will highlight?

ITworld LIVE

Small BusinessWhite Papers & Webcasts

White Paper

Small and Medium Business Threat Awareness Report

How aware are small businesses about cyber threats that impact them? Do they consider the right type of defense against hackers? Find out in the Small and Medium Business Threat Awareness Report.

White Paper

Microsoft Volume Licensing Comparison - Small/Med. Business

This quick-reference document lets small and medium organizations (i.e. those with five or more devices) to easily compare the available Microsoft Volume Licensing programs to create a simple, cost-effective and flexible way to benefit from volume licensing.

White Paper

ESG: Oracle Database Appliance: A Simple, Economical Option for SMBs and Independent Software Vendors

Read this technology overview of a DBMS built for SMBs that provides a rapidly-deployable, highly-available platform at an affordable cost

See more White Papers | Webcasts

Ask a question

Ask a Question