German IT agency sets record straight on Explorer
It didn't specifically tell users not to use the Microsoft browser
September 16, 2004 12:00 PM ETIDG News Service -
In response to the growing number of viruses infecting computers, a spokesman for Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has suggested that users consider alternatives to Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer Web browser. But the agency didn't recommend that users steer clear of Microsoft products, the spokesman said, refuting a statement issued Tuesday by browser developer Opera Software ASA.
"Microsoft products are the target of many virus writers," BSI spokesman Michael Dickopf said in an interview yesterday. "If computer users want to avoid viruses and Trojans, they may want to consider using alternatives to Microsoft software."
However, Dickopf said, BSI "did not issue any warning against using Microsoft products."
The Opera statement, titled "German Government Computing Security Body Recommends Switch to Opera," was based on a story published Monday by the online news site The Register, according to Opera spokesman Pal Hvistendahl. Opera didn't contact BSI directly in preparing its release, he said.
The Register report was based, in turn, on a story published Saturday in the German daily newspaper Berliner Zeitung. In that story, Dickopf was one of several experts interviewed on the topic of computer viruses and worms, and on recent phishing attacks in the country. The BSI spokesman was paraphrased as saying that he "indirectly advised" Internet users to switch from Explorer to Mozilla or Opera. He was directly quoted as saying, "Whoever doesn't use Internet Explorer can't be affected by these viruses and worms."
The IT industry is closely monitoring the procurement behavior of governments, which traditionally have been big users of Microsoft products but increasingly are becoming interested in the use of open-source alternatives to save money and reduce security risks.
In Europe, the German government has been at the forefront of promoting the use of open-source software in the public sector. Cost has been the key driver for its support of Linux and other open-source products. But over the past year, security has also become an issue.
Microsoft has responded to the developments by offering discounts to the country's vast public sector and agreeing to provide special assistance with software security.
Reprinted with permission from
Story copyright 2009 International Data Group. All rights reserved.
Security
Additional Resources



Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.
White Papers & Webcasts
Share our Strength
Download Now
Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce through Automation
Download This Resource Now!
Top 10 Things to Know about Data Protection
Download Now
Managing Mobility: Improve Data Security, Compliance and Manageability
Download This Resource Now!
Managing Secure File Transfer to Save Time, Money and IT Resources
Learn how companies are using innovative technology to overcome these challenges and improve user productivity by offloading e-mail attachments and replacing FTP with...
Ponemon Study: The Business Risk of a Lost Laptop
Download Now
Security Convergence Equals Network Security Cost Savings
Listen to IBM Internet Security Systems' take on network security convergence.
Airport Insecurity: The Case of Lost Laptops
Download Now
Disaster Recovery 2008: Reduced Costs and Improved Performance
How long can your Enterprise afford to be without your data? With an accelerated disaster recovery program, you never have to answer this...
