Microsoft admits bug in Internet Explorer browser

Microsoft admits bug that leaves 'hundreds of millions' of Internet Explorer browser users vulnerable to hackers

Microsoft has admitted a bug in its Internet Explorer web browser could leave millions of users vulnerable to hackers.
The firm today issued a fix and urged customers to upgrade their software.
The German government led calls for people to switch their browser in light of the problem.

Hackers could exploit to bug to gain access to a user's PC, and read all of their personal information.

The security flaw affects hundreds of millions of Internet Explorer browser users.

The bug affects the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.

Microsoft said attackers can exploit the bug to infect the PC of somebody who visits a malicious website and then take control of the victim's computer.

The software maker advised customers on its website late on Monday to install the security software as an interim measure, buying it time to fix the bug and release a new, more secure version of Internet Explorer.
The company did not say how long that will take, but several security researchers said they expect the update within a week.

The free security tool, which is known as the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit, or EMET, is available through Microsoft's website.
Some security experts said it would be too cumbersome for many PC users to implement the measures suggested by Microsoft.
Instead they advised Windows users to temporarily switch from Internet Explorer to rival browsers such as Google Inc's Chrome, Mozilla's Firefox or Opera Software ASA's Opera .

Related Items news