German Government recommends not using Internet Explorer

The German government recommends that Internet users seeking an alternative to Internet Explorer browser (IE), Microsoft, to ensure their safety.

The warning by the Federal Office for Information Security Germanic comes after Microsoft acknowledged that the security of your browser failed in the recent attacks on Google's systems.

The company rejected the advice of the Office, saying the risk to its users was low and that improving the security settings in Explorer would solve the problems.

However, German authorities said even that would make IE completely safe for navigation.

Thomas Baumgaertner, a spokesman for Microsoft in Germany, said that attacks on Google were carried out by "highly motivated, with some very specific purposes.

"There were no attacks against ordinary users or customers" of the firm, said. "There are no threats to them, so we do not support this recommendation," he said.

For his part, Graham Cluley, a spokesman for antivirus firm Sophos, told the BBC that the German government's notice referred to versions 6, 7 and 8 of the browser. He added, have appeared on the Internet explaining how to exploit vulnerabilities in IE.

Awaiting update

Microsoft tends to release a security update each month. The next is scheduled for Feb. 9. However, a company spokesman told the BBC that the experts are trying to fix problems quickly.

"We are working on an update, which could lead to (launch) a security update out of that cycle" monthly, he said.

However, this is not an easy task. The company not only have to fix those problems, you must also make sure not to create more vulnerabilities, and that arrangement works on all computers. This challenge is compounded considering that should fix three different versions of its browser technology specialist said the BBC's Daniel Emery.

"Something that should be borne in mind is that each browser has its own security problems and fix a problem that could expose users to another," said Cluley, of Shop.

Microsoft acknowledged that all versions of IE are affected by a security breach, but clarified that the risk is lower in recent editions.