Tech-no-Babble
Created | Updated Aug 21, 2002
Microsoft Acts on a Security Warning
 | Microsoft has announced that Internet Explorer 5.1 and 5.5 Web browsers have a security flaw which could allow hackers to run programmes/viruses on the users computer. |
If a hacker finds this bug in the system, they can send specially coded attachments which would open automatically in an e-mail without warning.
One outcome is that it could unleash programmes that could do anything from sending users a harmless message, or messages, to everyone in your email listings, to deleting files from your computer.
Microsoft announce that it is the Internet Explorer versions 5.01 and 5.5 which are affected, but it has developed a "patch" that can be downloaded from the company's website.
One of Microsoft's security programme managers says the flaw is in some of the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, or MIMEs, which are used to encode files for e-mail attachments. They claim it was discovered before any viruses could be spread.
A security researcher from Spain is said to have found the glitch and has previously found security problems in Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. I am glad these guys are around to close the door before the horse bolts.
