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Microsoft flaw opens internet to hackers
Mark Prigg16 Dec 2008
A MAJOR online security alert has been issued for users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser.
Experts say a flaw in the software - used by almost 80 per cent of internet population - enables hackers to take control of people's computers and steal their passwords.
Microsoft today admitted that more than two million computers worldwide have already been infected because of the flaw. Today computer security firms advised users to switch to a rival browser until the bug is fixed.
The main rivals, which can all be downloaded free, are Firefox, on www.mozilla.com, Chrome on www.google.com and Safari on www.apple.com.
Microsoft said it was investigating the problem and preparing an emergency software patch to resolve it. "We fully expect the variety of malware being dropped by this exploit to broaden as the exploit code starts to circulate around the Internet underground," the company said in a statement posted online. But Graham Cluley of IT security firm Sophos, said: "It could be early January before Microsoft fixes this problem."
As many as 10,000 websites have already been compromised to take advantage of the security flow, said antivirus software maker Trend Micro.
Most are Chinese and serve up programs that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold on.
However, the flaw could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals", Paul Ferguson of Trend Micro said.
Reader views (4)
I can never quite work out why the media are always so keen to advertise the hacker community these flaws.
Everything has flaws and most software is highly complex but relatively cheap compared to say a car. If your car had a fault that would mean it would be stolen more easily would the media report it so avidly, probably not. You can leave your personal details in a car etc etc.
- Sandy, London, 17/12/2008 09:32
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Who cares------IE sucks with its 'new look' and all the time wasted waiting for the goofy advertising Graphics to load..........
- Butch, Illinois, USA, 17/12/2008 06:26
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My pc hard disc is already almost full of nothing but Windows updates. Yes, it is a couple of years old, but coupled with the need to now buy an external hard disc or a new pc, comes the annoyance factor of these sometimes very lenghty and inconvenient updates.Whilst being appreciative of all this fabulous technology, and the whole new world it has opened to us, frankly I am getting rather tired of having to do more cleaning up, updating Windows, updating all the anti-spyware and anti-virus stuff, carrying out anti-spyware and anti-virus searches, having to boot out the spam from my email in-box, etc. The Internet has started to become a no-go area, which you enter at peril of losing your identity, having your bank account plundered, losing all your data, pictures and anything else you've stored. On top of that, your pc can be taken over and used to infect and zap out everyone else's stuff without you even knowing. I'm seriously thinking about leaving the thing sitting in the corner, switched off. The people at Microsoft and all the others responsible should have thought of all this before they let it all loose on us. Let's face it,the Internet is the most wonderful gift any criminal could wish to have, and those responsible must have known that when they started out.Anyone who replies to me to use another browser is missing the point.In a short time, the other browsers will also be targeted, so what's the answer? Limit yorself only to the neccessary. Switch it off!
- Ray King, wood green london and kassel germany, 16/12/2008 20:19
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Great- that's all I need. Wish I'd read this before accessing net via I Explorer this morning.
- Suzy, Essex, 16/12/2008 14:45
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