Microsoft Warns Users of Serious Internet Explorer Security Hole

Microsoft is warning users of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 of a security hole in Internet Explorer - a serious vulnerability that allows attackers to gain the same user rights as the local user.

The hole is reportedly caused by the interaction of IE and Microsoft Video ActiveX Control. This vulnerability can allow hackers to remotely take control of victims’ machines. User need to do nothing more visit a Web site that has been hacked to get infected. According to security experts, criminals have been attacking the security hole in IE for nearly a week, installing viruses on users who click certain links in spam emails.

Microsoft assures users that its IT professionals are working diligently to develop a security update. Until the company is able to provide a a patch for the security breach, the software giant has suggested that users disable the video software, ActiveX. Instructions for deactivating ActiveX Video Control are available here.

Source

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Tags: activex, ie, internet explorer, Microsoft, pc security, spam, windows server 2003, windows xp

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm and is filed under Microsoft, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.