FEMA Demands Use of IE To File Online Katrina Claims

[craigolemiss]

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=KSR31FIC05L5OQSNDBOCKHSCJUMEKJVN?articleID=170701321

As reported by MSNBC and Information Week Magazine, if you survived the hurricane and are a Mac, Linux or Firefox user you cannot file a claim online. Further, you must have javascript enabled or face rejection.

From the site: 'We are sorry for not being able to proceed your requests because you have failed our tests.' Opera and Netscape don't work either."

Also reported at InformationWeek. From that story: "To file a claim online at FEMA's Individual Assistance Center, where citizens can apply for government help, the browser must be IE 6.0 or later with JavaScript enabled. That cuts out everyone running Linux or the Mac operating systems, as well as Windows users running alternate browsers such as Firefox or Opera.

When TechWeb tested the site using Windows XP and Firefox 1.0.6, the message 'In order to use this site, you must have JavaScript Enabled and Internet Explorer version 6. Download it from Microsoft or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register' popped up on the screen.

[Oreo]

1. We are sorry for wanting you impeached...

because you have failed our tests.

[Why Syzygy]

3. hey! I have IE 6 .. If that's what

it takes to get the impeachment, I'm online. Count me IN!

[Why Syzygy]

2. well isn't that cozy .. wtf? nt

[kenny blankenship]

4. Microsoft helps them steal government in the first place

so it makes sense Federal agencies under Bush's administration would do this: one monopoly always loves another.

[satya]

5. What a bonanza for identity thieves. n/t

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Just Plain Incompetence . . . . nt

[idiosyncratic]

7. Check out this Kim Komando Tip about I.E. That's why I use Opera

Windows Clipboard and I.E.

Q. Is it safe to use the Windows Clipboard while using the Web? Can I keep all my sensitive numbers in a Word file and just paste them in? That way, a keylogger won't get me typing them in.

A. You raise an interesting issue. . . .

. . . many people are simply unaware of this problem in Internet Explorer. A properly written _JavaScript program could be used to swipe your information right off the Windows Clipboard when you’re visiting a Web page. It all happens behind the scenes.

Want to see it in action? Try this. Copy something (this sentence, for instance). Then go to the FriendlyCanadian site.

If you're using Internet Explorer, you should see whatever you copied.

However, when I did this on my computer, nothing showed up. I use the free browser Firefox. My Firefox is set up to use JavaScripts. But when the FriendlyCanadian site sent code to run _JavaScript, something in Firefox kept it from working. I would not bet, though, that Firefox could not be accessed.

When I tried this using Internet Explorer, it worked fine. That means that a malicious Web site could copy anything you have on your Clipboard.

- - - - - - -

Anyone still using I.E. should seriously consider using it only as a last resort . . .

[Railroader]

9. I use Firefox...

showed exactly what I had in my clipboard.

[CountAllVotes]

8. a computer *geek* I know

Advised me that the Dept. of Homeland Security will not allow their employees to use IE. Why do you think that is exactly? :grr: