New Security Flaws Found in Internet Explorer

Vulnerabilities spotted after release of security patch

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2010 4:17 AM CST

(Newser) – An Internet security firm has found yet more serious "vulnerabilities" in Internet Explorer just days after Microsoft released a fresh security patch in the wake of a major hack attack. The browser—which was exploited by hackers in the recent wave of massive cyberattacks blamed on China—has weaknesses that thieves can use to remotely access all of the data on a computer if a user clicks on a malicious link, according to Core Security Technologies.

A Microsoft spokesman says the company is working to fix the flaws and it isn't aware of any hackers using them to attack computers. Explorer has had a rough couple of weeks, the Telegraph notes. The French and German governments officially warned users to change their browsers to avoid security problems, and downloads of rival browsers Firefox and Opera subsequently soared.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Microsoft's Internet Explorer has been hit by yet another round of security fears. (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="source">&copy;</a><a href="http://flickr.com/search/people/?m=name&q=evil nickname" target="source">evil nickname</a>)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Microsoft is investigating a responsibly disclosed vulnerability in Internet Explorer. We’re currently unaware of any attacks trying to use the vulnerability, - A Microsoft spokesman

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

26%

24%

32%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

New Sony Vaio PCs Will Include Google Web Browser

Facing Microsoft, search giant aims to expand market for Chrome

(NEWSER) - Google Chrome, languishing in the browser wars, will get a substantial boost thanks to a deal with Sony—which is shipping new Vaio PCs with Chrome pre-installed. Google is also talking to other computer manufacturers, the FT reports, as it attempts to weaken the dominance of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which commands 68% of the field. Google Chrome, despite good reviews from techies, has only a 2% share after a year. More»

Firefox Loses Some of Its Edge: Mossberg

It's not the fastest browser anymore

(NEWSER) - Mozilla's Firefox is still good, but it doesn't stand out as much as it used to, Walter S. Mossberg writes in the Wall Street Journal. The latest edition of the web browser, version 3.5, works well on both PCs and Macs, but "Firefox has lost its traditionally biggest advantage: greater speed than its rivals." In tests, Mossberg found that it often lagged behind Safari 4.02 and Chrome 2.0. More»

New IE8 Promising But Slow: Mossberg

While some features are unmatched, slow page loads hinder updated browser

(NEWSER) - Internet Explorer 8 becomes available at noon, but don’t go ditching your current browser just yet, writes Walter S. Mossberg in the Wall Street Journal. Microsoft's latest is "a big improvement over its predecessor, IE7, and a much closer competitor to its main rival, Mozilla's Firefox"—but slower than Firefox, Google’s Chrome, and Apple’s Safari, Mossberg cautions. More»

Hackers Trigger Security Panic for Internet Explorer

Experts suggest switching browsers until Microsoft issues emergency patch

(NEWSER) - A security flaw in Internet Explorer has so alarmed web experts that they are advising people to switch browsers until the problem is fixed, reports the BBC. Microsoft is preparing an emergency software patch to fix the flaw, which has allowed hackers to seize control of individual computers and steal passwords. More»

Among New Browsers, Firefox Bests Safari and IE

Safari isn't good enough vs. spyware and IE is still in development

(NEWSER) - Mozilla, Apple, and Microsoft are in the final stages of developing new versions of their Web browsers, and Firefox 3 is the winner over spyware-susceptible Safari 3.1 and work-in-progress IE 8. The new Mozilla product has outstanding memory management and speed, boasts great groundbreaking bookmark features, and is impressively secure, Erik Larkin writes in PC World. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

New Security Flaws Found in Internet Explorer