Internet Explorer reported to have a serious flaw

Hackers have knocked out Internet Explorer – Microsoft browser installed on approximately 800,000,000 personal computers in the world. The American producer tries to calm down the users of its software product, in the security system of which there was a defect found on December, 9. This concerns every existing version of the browser, from 1 to 8. "The hackers offer their discoveries for sale on the forums, - explains Rick Ferguson, the information security expert of Trend Micro Company that produces antivirus software – And as far as we can judge, it is at one of such forums that there was settled the bargain as for Internet Explorer". Once detected, this flaw of the browser will enable hackers launch viruses to personal computers to register the credit card passwords and bank requisites of the users.

The way of catching the virtual infection is fairly simple: all you need to do is to open up Internet connection and surf over an infected website. According to Rick Ferguson, there were 10,000 registered infected websites, and today there are 200,000 of them.

The hackers responsible for the havoc were precise in choosing the time for their attack – the period of holidays when Internet shopping reaches its ceiling. But estimating the damages done by the discovering of the world’s famous browser’s flaw would be premature. It is recommended to the surfers to accurately scan the contents of their computers before placing orders with online shops. Trend Micro offers the surfers a web-based tool specially designed for such purposes titled housecall. You can do it for free at the company’s website.

Microsoft wants to cut the panic wave. Automatic fixing / security patch has renewed the databases on more than 80% of computers. The Microsoft security website gives details on what safety measures there are to be taken to stop worms and Trojans from getting into your computer.

Microsoft flatters itself that finding out the solution took them no more than a week while it usually takes a producer not less than six weeks to find the “vaccine”. Bernard Ourghanlian, Microsoft security director in France is nevertheless warning the users against uploading a virus even deadlier than the one the patch was originally designed to fix the flaw under the name of a patch. “Such things happened in the past and it cost us reputation”. According to Laurent Heslault de Symantec, at present, the majority of attacks as well as the victims of the virus seem to have been localized in Asia. And the gaming websites are on the line.