1 September 2019 | CultBooking

08 Oct 2019Previous article: ‘Internet Explorer browser tips for CultBooking‘ already mentioned why CultBooking is not supporting and optimizing the booking engine technology for Internet Explorer. If those arguments are not enough, let us look into it in more details: Internet Explorer security flaw allows hackers to steal files; You don’t even have to use IE for this to be a problem.‘ Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has a longstanding reputation for poor security, but it’s now bad enough that you could be attacked just by having it on your PC. Security researcher John Page has revealed an unpatched exploit in the web browser’s handling of MHT files (IE’s web archive format) that hackers can use to both spy on Windows users and steal their local data. As Windows opens MHT files using IE by default, you don’t even have to run the browser for this to be a problem — all you have to do is open an attachment sent through chat or email.The vulnerability affects Windows 7, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 R2.This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for the disclosure of the flaw. Page posted details of the exploit after Microsoft reportedly declined to roll out an urgent security fix. It instead said: “We determined that a fix for this issue will be considered in a future version of this product or service,” Microsoft said, according to Page. ” At this time, we will not be providing ongoing updates of the status of the fix for this issue, and we have closed this case.” While that does suggest a patch is on the way, it leaves millions of users potentially vulnerable unless they either turn off Internet Explorer or point to another app that can open MHT files.’Source: Engaged Stop using Internet Explorer, warns Microsoft’s own security chief‘ Continued use of the software is potentially risky, according to Chris Jackson, Microsoft’s worldwide lead for cyber security.”Developers by and large just aren’t testing for Internet Explorer these days,” Mr Jackson said.Though a number of websites currently work on Internet Explorer, new apps will not be integrated into the service, limiting the web applications available.A number of firms have opted to continue using Internet Explorer as their websites are dependent on its underlying infrastructure.“We want you to use IE for the sites that need it – what I’m trying to say here is that I hope you don’t use it for everything else,” Mr Jackson said in a comment on the blog post.Microsoft will end support for Internet Explorer 10 in January 2020, while Internet Explorer 11 will remain as the final iteration of the software.Source: TelegraphFor anyone still using IE11 for any reason, users are generally advised to stop doing that, either by moving to Edge, Chrome, or Firefox.‘ For anyone still using IE11 for any reason, users are generally advised to stop doing that, either by moving to Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. Unfortunately, even in 2018, there are still a handful of sites that only play well in IE. This is an indirect example of why allowing any single browser to so dominate the market is a bad idea (in relation to Chrome) — we’re literally still dealing with the fact that IE once held something like 95 percent of the browser market, even though that hasn’t been true for nearly 15 years.’Source: ExtremeTechInternet Explorer is not considered to be a browser” Jackson doesn’t even consider IE to be a browser, at least in the modern, standards-based sense.“You see, Internet Explorer is a compatibility solution,” wrote Jackson in the blog. “We’re not supporting new web standards for it and, while many sites work fine, developers by and large just aren’t testing for Internet Explorer these days. They’re testing on modern browsers.“So, if we continued our previous approach, you would end up in a scenario where, by optimizing for the things you have, you end up not being able to use new apps as they come out. As new apps are coming out with greater frequency, what we want to help you do is avoid having to miss out on a progressively larger portion of the web.”Source: ZDNetWix indicates to switch to other browsers as wellHere are the reasons mentiones be Wix to change to other browsers:‘ We strongly recommend that you switch to an updated browser version for the following reasons:Security: Microsoft no longer provides security updates for older versions of Internet Explorer, and soon may cease providing security updates for the browser altogether for newer operating systems. **Without critical browser security updates, your PC may become vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which can steal or damage your business data and information.Tech Support: Microsoft no longer provides tech support or fixes for older versions of Internet Explorer and may soon cease to provide support for the browser on newer operating systems.Compliance: Businesses that are governed by regulatory obligations such as HIPAA must ensure that the software they are using is up to date and compliant with these regulations.Lack of ISV Support: Many Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) no longer support Internet Explorer. For example, Office 365 takes advantage of modern web standards and runs best with the latest browser.’Source: Wix Browsers market share Question arises, what is the market share of Internet Explorer as of August-September 2019? We will compare various sources for statistics.Stetic indicates that during Sep 2019, Internet Explorer has a market share of 5.59%. Leader being Chrome with 47.3%, followed by Safari with 31.69% and Firefox with 12.62%.Internet Explorer, usage decrease can be seen on the above graph. It is represented by the second line, that is light blue.Source: SteticW3Counter displays 7,8% market share for IE and Edge. That is very similar to Stetic would have for the 2 combined browsers.Source: W3CounterAlex. CEO, founder of JitBit has created this nice animated chart for browser market shares from 1993 to 2019. Edge browser working CultBooking has been tested on Edge, the new browser from Microsoft that is in BETA version and also on the Canary Edge and is working perfectly. So the problem is not of the CultBooking technology, but of the old unsupported Internet Explorer.CultBooking solution for Internet ExplorerMuch to our regret, Internet Explorer 10 and below versions do not fully support some of the latest technologies that are supported in virtually every other modern browser. We are building the fastest and most functional booking engine, which is impossible without relying on the latest technologies that the web has to offer.Because of this, CultBooking is fully working on latest version of Intenet explorer: version 11 and above.To experience the best possible performance, please consider using Chrome, Firefox, Opera or Edge. Solution After all this data and factors analysed in this article, here is the solution provided by CultBooking:1. Activate browser detection:Smart browser detection technology has been implemented by developer. So, if Interner Explorer 10 or below versions are detected we are:2. Showing a note that bookings are not possible using this version of IE for security reasons and provide alternativesHere is how this looks like:CEO advise and suggestionI arrived to this solution after CEO of CultSwitch and CultBooking suggested to look how big players in the market handle this same problem. So I checked following companies and observed while on Internet Explorer 10 and below versions:eBayeBay, this is a very elegant way to display the notification message and invite user to use alternatives. It looks like an invite to make a change and not as error message. As if somebody was thinking about the user design and also giving him other options. So, we followed their steps.RakutenAliexpressGrouponBooking.comExpediaConclusionCultBooking followed the steps of top companies. If Booking.com and Expedia do not allow bookings via Internet Explorer 10 or lower versions, why shall CultBooking do it. Our technology is fully functional for the Explorer 11 and higher versions.Thank you to our partners, distribution managers and users that reported this error with Explorer. They have helped to improve CultBooking technology.Support & HelpFor questions and help, you can reach us via the contact form or directly by email: info@cultbooking.com

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