Microsoft forces IE5 downloads for W2000 beta users

A beta tester of Microsoft's Windows 2000 software applications has reported that users need Internet Explorer 5.0 to download patches and updates. But, as we reported on Saturday, using IE 5.0 opens users to security risks (see IE5 security hole lets snoopers scoop your clipboard). The tester, who does not wish to be named, said that after he had received the CDs, he paid a visit to this Microsoft Web site to "snoop around. "After entering my username and password I was rewarded with the following, which makes it clear that YOU MUST USE INTERNET EXPLODER V5 to get info on Windoze 2000:-- "Thank You for your interest in Windows Update. Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you get the most out of your computer. Windows. 98 and Windows. 2000 users: Please start the Windows Update service from the link on your Start menu. "Windows. 95 and Windows NT. 4.0 users: You will need to install Internet Explorer 5 in order to use Windows Update." ®