Internet Explorer Opens Windows to Hack Attack
If you use Windows and Internet Explorer, you could become a cybercrime victim.
A security flaw exists in all versions of Microsoft Windows that could allow a hacker to gain unauthorized access to a user's computer. Microsoft issued a security advisory on Jan. 28, explaining that if a user is browsing a nonsecure site with using the Internet Explorer Web browser, a hacker could run malicious scripts on the user's system.
The script could spoof content, disclose information, or take any action that the user could take on the affected Web site on behalf of the targeted user, the advisory read.
Proof-of-concept demonstrations are already making their way around the Internet, Microsoft said, showing exactly how to execute the hack and steal sensitive data from users' computers.
Microsoft has issued a Fix it tool to combat the vulnerability; it is available for download at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2501696.
Simply enabling your computer to automatically download new software and security updates will not fix this flaw.
