Internet Explorer patch flaw soon to be fixed

A software flaw in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer that allows hackers to hijack a user’s computer has been resolved after the firm released a “critical” patch to fix the problem.

A software flaw in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer that allows hackers to hijack a user’s computer has been resolved after the firm released a “critical” patch to fix the problem.

The computer software giant says it formed security teams across the global to help deliver a solution to deal with the threat to customers and managed to release the patch “in the unprecedented time of eight days”.

Users with the “Windows Update” application installed will receive the security update automatically.

Other users can download the emergency patch from Microsoft’s site.

Microsoft says the update is rated “critical”, and is one of only a few instances the firm has released security fixes outside of its regular monthly updates.

But according to software security firm Trend Micro, the attacks using the software’s design flaw are, “spreading like wildfire”.

The group says it has discovered 10,000 websites that have been infected with software, which can be dropped into unprotected Internet Explorer browsers when visited.

The software can then be used to steal passwords, user names and other confidential data, while hackers could use infected computers for attacks on other networks.

“When the patch is released people should run, not walk, to get it installed,” Trend Micro advanced threat researcher Paul Ferguson told The Age.

“This vulnerability is being actively exploited by cyber-criminals and getting worse every day.”

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• Internet explorer vulnerable to attack
• Number of infected PCs in Australia grows