Windows 10 update slips past Aussie border force and borks access to its Integrated Cargo System

It's 2019 and government sites still require Internet Explorer

Companies using the Australian Border Force's (ABF) Integrated Cargo System (ICS) are having problems connecting to the portal using Internet Explorer.

The issue, which officials attribute to a Windows 10 update on 8 October, has forced some users to roll back the changes in order to connect to the system through the venerable browser.

Authorities said: "A change in behaviour of the protocol establishing the security of the connection with ICS is causing authentication failures."

An email seen by The Register added that "the ABF have been working with teams from Unisys, IBM, Home Affairs and Microsoft to find a resolution to these issues".

Microsoft's response would most likely be along the lines of "why in blue blazes are you still using Internet Explorer? Does nobody listen to us?" The company has repeatedly suggested that users move on and use something – anything – else.

However, a few clicks into the afflicted site reveals the awful truth: "Integrated Cargo System (ICS) only supports Internet Explorer on Windows at this time."

Yes, it is 2019, and yes, this is still a thing

Far be it from us to speculate why the Australian Border Force should spank taxpayers' money on a portal that only works on a browser used by just over 6 per cent of users globally and whose maker is desperate for customers to leave it behind.

However, sticking with the thing as the rest of the web moved on has meant the hundreds, or thousands, of freight forwarders and companies that deal with the ICS and like their Windows 10 systems freshly patched now have a problem on their hands.

The ABF has said it intends to "work to identify an acceptable long-term solution to this problem". In the meantime, it cautions that uninstalling the patch be "informed by an appropriate risk assessment and analysis", going as far to suggest users opt for standalone machines. Certainly, there was plenty fixed in 8 October's bundle of joy.

And that solution? We've got one for you: perhaps it is time for the ABF to move on from Internet Explorer.

Even Microsoft would thank you. ®