Digital News

Patching up IE7

Microsoft have announced that they are to issue a patch to fix a security flaw believed to have affected as many as 10,000 websites, it has been reported. The emergency patch for IE7 has been issued to stop hackers taking control of people’s computers and stealing their passwords, says Microsoft.

Internet Explorer is one of the most commonly used browsers on the Internet and the security flaw could affect all versions of the computer giant’s operating systems, including the much-lauded Alta Vista. So far the only machines vulnerable to attack are those running IE7. Other earlier versions are not affected, and Microsoft teams have been working around the clock to produce a patch to help protect their customers.

It is quite unusual for Microsoft to issue what it calls an ‘out-of-band’ security bulletin like this, and experts see the decision to rush out the patch as evidence for the potential risk to IE7 users. However, unusual as this announcement by Microsoft may be, it’s not unheard of. Internet browsers are notoriously vulnerable to attack, with no browser being exempt from problems. Firefox, Opera, Chrome and Apple’s Safari, whilst not vulnerable to the current problem, have all had their own patches issued at some point. It really is vital that anyone using a browser pays attention to the annoying little screen that pops up occasionally and asks you if you want to update your security system. With ever more elaborate attacks being designed by hackers, letting your browser protection lapse could be sending out an open invitation to a malicious invasion of your system.

The current flaw in IE7 has been used by hackers to steal gaming passwords, but more sensitive data could be at risk until the security protocol is updated. It is inevitable that criminals will spot the weak spot in Microsoft’s armour. It is merely a question of modifying the payload that a Trojan installs onto a system and then reaping the rewards, including banking details and other sensitive information. Some experts have suggested that IE7 users should switch browsers until the problem has been fixed, which is probably the best advice anyone can give those now vulnerable to a cyber-attack from gleeful hackers.