Received info from a very reliable source (besides TellyWellie and Satguru ) that I wanted to share regarding this "problem" with IE. He also strongly urges everyone who uses IE to change to something else:

Check it out

as well as :

--------------------------- yet another article about it -----------------------------------------------

US Govt. Cyber Experts Advise Browser Switch
Straits Times
Singapore
JULY 2, 2004

THE United States government's cyberdefence experts, along with other computer gurus, are urging users to consider a switch away from Microsoft's widely used Internet Explorer (IE) because of new security problems. The unusual - and for Microsoft, highly embarrassing - warning comes because of a security hole that has allowed hackers to surreptitiously install software on hundreds of websites that use Microsoft's Web server programs. That, in turn, downloads spyware programs to personal computers, including one that steals credit card numbers and other forms of financial information.

'This is a wake-up call for us to advise users to switch to an alternative browser,' said Mr Johannes Ulrich of the SANS Internet Storm Centre in the US, which tracks immediate threats on the Internet. 'With Internet Explorer, you're playing Russian roulette and hoping the sites you visit aren't compromised.'

Most anti-virus software companies have provided updateds to block the specific program, the JS.Scob Trojan, but Microsoft has not, so far, been able to inoculate IE against the broad technique. None of the most prominent alternative browsers, Opera, Mozilla or Netscape, is vulnerable to the flaw. Nor are computers running Linux or the Macintosh operating systems.


Another new threat emerged this week that might compromise the passwords and account information of users who bank online. It targets users of IE and can be picked up from pop-up ads that secretly download software capable of capturing users' keystrokes.
-- LAT

This is supposed to be a FUN thing. It's really too bad that we have to be on guard every minute.
(Edited to add source)
SSB

The vulnerability is well documented now and people make their choices. No more can be done. I always find it strange that my bank directs me to an advisory page about security because I log on using Firefox rather than Internet Explorer

Yes, that is a bit strange. Maybe their advisory board is unaware of the unadvisability of using IE. I still haven't changed over, but I only use a few sites for the most part, and they do not seem to be causing any problems for me at the time. I will probably take the plunge and set up under firefox as well. I do like the "buddy" list on AOL tho. I keep up with a few family and friends, and enjoy that feature.
SSB

And mighty fine reckoning that is!! We have to be so wary about everything around us these days. . .even markets in the middle of the day!!

I just received notice that my credit card company will let me enter a code to make using my card more secure, and I can do it over the internet. If I enter my code over the internet, it seems that would be letting myself in for invasion. I'm not even using my credit card over the internet nor do any banking or paying of bills, because I'm afraid it can be compromised. Maybe that's a bit leery, but there is just too much invasion that happens over the internet!!
SSB