Microsoft fixes Internet Explorer Security Flaw

Everyone has been reporting on the issue with Internet Explorer on all versions running on XP, Vista Windows 7 and 8 machines and versions of IE  v6.0 and up. This flaw gave hackers the ability to take over your computer if you click on a bad link. A very serious issue indeed.

This flaw has been fixed, even on your XP machines, but you will need to be on the internet and you need to turn on automatic updates to receive the patch. cNet has reported that:

The patch, delivered at 10 a.m. Thursday, comes out of Microsoft's usual Patch Tuesday cycle because of its severity. It affected IE 6 through 11 and allowed attackers to install malware on your computer without your permission that could be used to steal personal data, track online behavior, or gain control of the computer.

Dustin Childs of Microsoft Trustworthy Computing, the company's security group, said in a blog post.

"If you're unsure if you have automatic updates, or you haven't enabled Automatic Update, now is the time."

Of the decision to fix Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8, the only versions of the browser that still run on the 12-year-old Windows XP, Childs was terse.

"We have made the decision to issue a security update for Windows XP users," he said, noting that "Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft" and that Redmond "continue[s] to encourage customers to migrate to a modern operating system, such as Windows 7 or 8.1."

Of the decision to fix Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8, the only versions of the browser that still run on the 12-year-old Windows XP, Childs was terse.

"We have made the decision to issue a security update for Windows XP users," he said, noting that "Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft" and that Redmond "continue[s] to encourage customers to migrate to a modern operating system, such as Windows 7 or 8.1."