Microsoft issues Emergency Fix for Browser Flaw
A security threat has been Identified in Microsoft Internet Explorer Browser recently. This vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution. It allows criminals to take over victims’ machines simply by re-directing them to infected Web sites. The users don’t have to download anything for their computers to get infected. This makes the bug in IE more dangerous.
Microsoft plans to ship a CRITICAL security update for the browser. People with ‘Windows Update’ feature activated on their computers will get the patch automatically.
Thousands of web sites have already been compromised due to this security flaw. The bad guys have loaded malicious code onto those sites that automatically infect visitors’ machines if they’re using IE and haven’t implemented the series of workarounds that Microsoft has suggested.
Microsoft said that it has seen these attacks only on IE 7, the most widely used version, but I personally experienced it on IE 6. when this happened with me, I was under the assumption that the site has been compromised. Now I understand that it’s the browser and not the web site.
Microsoft rarely issues security fixes for it’s software outside of its regular monthly updates.
Next Steps
Enable Automatic Updates for your Windows OS based Computers. To do this, follow these steps.
- Go to Control Panel.
- Click on the Icon which reads Security Center and then click on Automatic Updates.
- Select the option Automatic (recommended). You may chose other options based on your comfort levels.
Once you have the latest updates from Microsoft, your system will be free from the security threat identified above.
Visit Microsoft Security Advisory here for more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Security, IE, Windows
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Comments
I heard about this yesterday. 90% of windows users still use IE. It is very risky.
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I just got everyone at my work to upgrade. I had to help a few. Can’t let them sit around with a big vulnerability.
Another reason I only use Firefox 
@Lyndi, no matter what. They are always ahead
@Nihar, You are correct Nihar. Most of the Windows users still use IE. Same is the case with most corporate networks.
@John, That’s the first thing I did yesterday when I heard of this news. I also use FF. But not most of the other users
IE8 is available in BETA if anyone wishes to upgrade.
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Hi Arun how are u??????? Are u prepared for the upcoming parties? ^^
kisseees
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I was a big fan of IE from long time.But recently shifted to Firefox…Still i love IE but there are some serious backlogs over there.
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@Dennis, yes IE 8 BETA is ready. I hope MS will ensure it will make it user friendly for bloggers.
@Tanya, got so busy with office work and of course, with personal work too. Will need to step up the preps for the Christmas.
@Lax, you are correct. I started blogging only since 2 months and since then, fell in luv with FF! A blogger tendency 
Stories like this are pretty scary. The ‘bad’ guys always seem to be one step ahead of the ‘good’ guys. Personally I do not use IE anymore apart from a local version which I use on my local test site.
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