The summary is: avoid using Internet Explorer until Microsoft releases an emergency fix. If you don't have an alternative I recommend using IE to install Firefox or Chrome, finding the download location via Google. Definitely avoid visiting dodgy sites with IE at the very minimum.

Hmm well that will be me stuffed then.. although if they really want to log into my dating sites and send messages they can... might get me a date.

Aye (edited), IE is notoriously unsafe because it is the most targeted system used by the least skilled users.

However there remains a number of risks with this situation that might not be immediately apparent.

* A typical person's facebook account probably has enough information for identity theft. This information could be harvested and sold in bulk.
* Accounts on sites that hold customer's debit or credit card, could be used to extract these details or to make purchases.
* Someone could use an account to spam scams to your contacts, hoping they'd follow "your" advice.

Essentially the potential for mischief is quite considerable.