Australian Border Police web service is unusable after Internet Explorer update

An Australian Border Patrol web service has become unusable for anyone using an up-to-date version of Windows 10. An October 8 update to Internet Explorer makes the browser incompatible with the site and it does not support any other browser.

It concerns the Integrated Cargo System of the Australian Border Force. The service acknowledges the problem in a news posting, but notes that it only affects users who attempt to log in with Internet Explorer. It does not mention that that is the only way to login. The Register found that out on its own. The service is used by hundreds, if not thousands, of companies that import freight to Australia, according to the site.

The Australian service’s advice is to consider removing the update in question, or using a separate computer, specifically for logging in to the ICS, after a ‘thorough risk analysis’. According to The Register, the Australians are working with not only Microsoft, but also IBM, Unisys and Home Office to solve the problem.

Microsoft’s position has long been that companies, governments and individuals should get rid of Internet Explorer as soon as possible. IE11 will still receive updates from Microsoft, but its focus has been on Microsoft Edge since 2015, when it was officially released.