Serious security flaw found in Internet Explorer
Published on: 17/12/2008
If you currently use any version of Internet Explorer ( IE5 all the way through to IE8 Beta 2 ) you should consider finding an alternative browser. It is advisable not to log into websites that require you to enter a username and password EG. Internet Banking, webmail etc.. until Microsoft have released a patch or you have switched browsers. Switching browsers will guarantee protection against this security problem.
Google chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome <== recommended
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com
If you don't run a virus scanner and firewall, you can download both here for free; http://antivirus.comodo.com/
To ensure your computer is patched at the earliest possible time, please check the following settings are in place;
WinXP: Start = > Control Panel => Automatic Updates => Automatic should be checked and 'everyday' selected.
Vista: Start => All Programs => click Windows Update => Automatic should be checked and 'everyday' selected.
News Links
AVG 8.0 Protects Against Dangerous Internet Explorer Vulnerability
MarketWatch
Security software from AVG effectively blocks attempts by cyber criminals seeking to capitalize on the recently discovered vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser. The vulnerability enables unauthorized third parties to take control of users' PCs by tricking them into visiting poisoned web pages.
AVG, the global anti-virus and Internet security software provider with over 80 million users in 167 countries, today assured computer users that its commercial AVG 8.0 security software products have provided protection against this vulnerability since December 11th. AVG estimates that its software has already blocked close to 5,000 attacks against 3,000 users since Microsoft announced the flaw.
Computer users can immediately safeguard their systems by downloading a trial version of AVG software at http://www.avg.com.
Microsoft warns of Internet Explorer security flaw
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/16/2448302.htm
Users of the world's most common web browser have been advised to switch to another browser until a serious security flaw has been fixed.
Internet experts say the flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control of people's computers and steal their passwords.
Microsoft is investigating the problem and preparing an emergency software patch to resolve it.
Internet Explorer is used by the vast majority of the world's computer users.
You can find more news stories about this here: http://news.google.com.au/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=au&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1280059446
Tags: banking browser chrome explorer firefox flaw internet patch security software virus
