Microsoft releases security update for Internet Explorer

This is very critical update for IE users so beware and update it asap.

Microsoft has released an emergency security update to fix the vulnerability in Internet Explorer that has seen the computers of at least two million users hacked.


By Jon Swaine
Last Updated: 11:15AM GMT 18 Dec 2008

The "zero day" flaw allows hackers to gain access to the computers of visitors to infected websites, jeopardising the security of passwords, bank details and other personal information. It is believed that as many as 233,000 web pages have been affected.

Microsoft says its "critical" update will protect users. Christopher Budd, of the software giant's security centre, said the company "encourages all Internet Explorer customers to test and deploy this update as soon as possible".

Mike Reavey, also from the security centre, said: "Even with that, the release Emergency Response process isn't over. There is additional support to customers and additional refinement of our product development efforts."

Microsoft has said that the flaw has been proven to exist only in version 7 of Internet Explorer, but that version 6 and the "beta" release of version 8 are also "potentially vulnerable".

It has estimated that one in every 500 Windows users has been exposed to websites that attempt to exploit the flaw, and that the number of victims was increasing by 50 per cent every day.

Paul Ferguson, a researcher from the software security company Trend Micro, told the BBC that attacks were spreading "like wildfire".

"This vulnerability is being actively exploited by cyber-criminals and getting worse every day," Mr Ferguson said.

The update is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/t...displayLang=en

I got this article from this link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sciencean...-Explorer.html

This is like twice in two months they've had to roll out an immediate (non-patch Tuesday) update.

why would anyone in their right mind ever use internet explorer!!

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Originally Posted by Villalltheway

why would anyone in their right mind ever use internet explorer!!

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To browse the Internet most likely.

I'm no expert though.

It sucks that you can't uninstall it.

I hope Windows 7 gives the option to remove some of M$'s preinstalled components like IE.

Luckily nlite provides some of these options, but most have some consequences (like IE you'll lose the *.MHT file format).

A lot ppls use IE cos it's come together with Windows, I do wish I can totally remove it and replace with Opera or Firefox.

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Originally Posted by Skizo

To browse the Internet most likely.

I'm no expert though.

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really did not know that, thought smart people used Firefox, Opera, Safari etc before using trash like IE:noes:.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Villalltheway

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skizo

To browse the Internet most likely.

I'm no expert though.

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really did not know that, thought smart people used Firefox, Opera, Safari etc before using trash like IE:noes:.

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If they're more tech savvy, most probably do.

I always used firefox i always loved the plugins like adblock and all that.. when i used ie i used to have to format every 2/6 weeks whiched sucked, i'll never use ie again. always use firefox/opera and no microsoft will not remove ie from windows, because "it's their product" firefox/opera isn't.

65%of the people who use the internet use IE so this update is needed

fact is so many people us IE because it is there to use out of the box as it were being integral to windows. Like most people on here I use Firefox and have always used other browsers except int eh early days when Netscape was to slow for some things and IE was just that bit zippier

Of course times have changes, but if it wasn;t for IE having such a share do you not hik that the hackers etc would be looking at Firefox or similar to break in to?

Is it not more than coincidence that sinice IE has such a big market share because its already there to use, that it is teh reason it is mostly attacked? Similar arguments apply to why Macs have fewer viruses than PCs - because the user base in many respects is smaller, so if you want to do damage/steal info/wahtever - attack the "larger market" and go for the PCs running a very common app :)