Richard_Cranium72
08-05-2000, 07:06 PM
A bug in the Microsoft browser is delaying plans to synchronise time across the internet. But problems are now emerging with the way that versions 3, 4 and 5 of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser check the time. The problem arises because GET will be using the Java programming language for its time tools.
Some Java programs are mobile pieces of computer code called applets that can be attached to web documents. These applets are downloaded when anyone visits that page.
To limit the damage that hijacked applets could do, the programs are only allowed to work within a secure "sandbox".
Only in certain circumstances are applets allowed to trespass outside the sandbox, when the applets come from trusted servers for instance. GET will be using these exceptions to let the applet synchronise clocks.
However, the bug in the Microsoft browser does not recognise these trusted exceptions and will not let the applet tweak the clock. It treats even trusted applets as hostile unless security settings are lowered to a minimum.
Mr Roper said Microsoft has been told about the bug and was planning to fix it, but it may not be fixed until the next release of the browser. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_864000/864394.stm DrVette
Some Java programs are mobile pieces of computer code called applets that can be attached to web documents. These applets are downloaded when anyone visits that page.
To limit the damage that hijacked applets could do, the programs are only allowed to work within a secure "sandbox".
Only in certain circumstances are applets allowed to trespass outside the sandbox, when the applets come from trusted servers for instance. GET will be using these exceptions to let the applet synchronise clocks.
However, the bug in the Microsoft browser does not recognise these trusted exceptions and will not let the applet tweak the clock. It treats even trusted applets as hostile unless security settings are lowered to a minimum.
Mr Roper said Microsoft has been told about the bug and was planning to fix it, but it may not be fixed until the next release of the browser. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_864000/864394.stm DrVette