While this might not mean much to the average user of HN (read: tech literate) - i think it IS quite a big deal for "ordinary" computer users.

I think such warnings, from an official government body no less, will be heeded by many who don't know much and "just want to be safe"

Meanwhile MS choses to tell people that it "is not that bad" and that "not many users will be affected" and no word on when a patch is coming. This despite the fact that all current MS OSes (xp,vista,7) are exposed - is a PR disaster for MS.

My job routinely requires me to utilize Internet Explorer, and I don't think it's all that bad to be honest. I also utilize Chrome and Firefox throughout my day. Is it a little slower? Sure. Is it kind of the big, ugly older sister of Firefox and Chrome? Absolutely. Beyond all that, though, it still works.