Users of Internet Explorer are being warned of a vulnerability in the web browser which is being exploited by hackers. In Germany, the government has asked all citizens to temporarily stop using the browser till Microsoft institutes a patch.
According to the Rapid7.com blog – an internet security firm – victim computers are compromised just by visiting a malicious Website, which gives attackers the same privileges on the machine as the current user.
CNET.com is reporting that the vulnerability has existed since version 7 and extends up to version 9 of Internet Explorer.
Internet Explorer is the default web browser that comes with most computers since most computers have Microsoft operating systems. There are other freely available browsers that many people consider a better product. Chrome, Firefox, or Apple’s Safari can be downloaded for free, and IE bookmarks can be imported at the time of install.
Residents in Oakland, Wyckoff, and Frankilin Lakes might consider an alternate browser till Microsoft releases a patch ( Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 are not affected ).
Those choosing to stay with with IE are encouraged to read the security advisory Microsoft published for suggestions on how to improve safety – but it is not a patch.
The two most popular browsers available can be found in the links below:
https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Many people are unfamiliar with the term browser. This is the application – such as Internet Explorer- which allows you to access the web, visit websites such as Google, Yahoo, and The Journal. It is installed on all Microsoft devices, just as Apple installs their own browser Safari on devices such as iPads and Macs.