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Microsoft fixes XP browser security flaw

 

Microsoft announced security patches for its Internet Explorer browser – including versions for XP users.

Microsoft is releasing a set of patches for all of its currently supported versions of Internet Explorer. The security updates follow the discovery of a vulnerability that could allow hackers to gain full user permissions over a PC, allowing them to install programs, view and delete data, and much more simply by visiting a malicious website. The major flaw was discovered last weekend, so Microsoft has moved quickly to react to this particular vulnerability outside of its normal Patch Tuesday. The security updates will be available on Windows Update at 1PM ET today.

While Microsoft may have killed off support for Windows XP last month, the company is taking the highly unusual approach of releasing a security update for its nearly 13-year-old operating system today. “We’ve decided to provide an update for all versions of Windows XP (including embedded), today,” explains Microsoft’s Adrienne Hall. “We made this exception based on the proximity to the end of support for Windows XP.” Microsoft still creates security patches for Windows XP designed for businesses who pay a large sum for extended support contracts, but those specific patches are generally not released to the public.
 

 

How to Get the Fix

Updating Internet Explorer and Driving Security | 1 May 2014 10:18 AM | Adrienne Hall, General Manager, Trustworthy Computing, Microsoft.
If you are like most people, you have automatic updates turned on, and you’ll get this new update without having to do anything. If you haven’t turned on automatic updates yet, you should do so now. Click the “Check for Updates” button on the Windows Update portion of your Control Panel to get this going.