Microsoft
has finally pushed out a patch for the latest critical Internet Explorer (IE) bug
that has left all users of IE 6 though IE11 versions seriously vulnerable to
security threats. The recently rolled out IE patch also covered the company’s
outdated Operating System Windows XP.
has finally pushed out a patch for the latest critical Internet Explorer (IE) bug
that has left all users of IE 6 though IE11 versions seriously vulnerable to
security threats. The recently rolled out IE patch also covered the company’s
outdated Operating System Windows XP.
Microsoft
has officially stopped supporting Windows XP starting April 8th, 2014.
The
vulnerability was first disclosed last Sunday, 26th of April. It was deemed so
severe that the US Department of Homeland Security even suggested people to
stop using Internet Explorer and use other alternative browsers, like Mozilla
Firefox and Google Chrome until Microsoft could come up with a fix.
vulnerability was first disclosed last Sunday, 26th of April. It was deemed so
severe that the US Department of Homeland Security even suggested people to
stop using Internet Explorer and use other alternative browsers, like Mozilla
Firefox and Google Chrome until Microsoft could come up with a fix.
Responding
to the IE users’ outcry, the software giant is now rolling out a patch, which
will automatically be installed on PCs that have Automatic Updates enabled.
to the IE users’ outcry, the software giant is now rolling out a patch, which
will automatically be installed on PCs that have Automatic Updates enabled.
The latest
IE flaw has purportedly exposed IE users to potential remote attackers. It
specifically gives hackers access to a user’s computer, allowing them to
install more malicious software onto the system.
IE flaw has purportedly exposed IE users to potential remote attackers. It
specifically gives hackers access to a user’s computer, allowing them to
install more malicious software onto the system.
The first
reported exploit was done by a covert group, likely believed to be foreign
spies. The said group was purportedly taking advantage of the flaw to assault
U.S. companies when a Milpitas, California-based security firm FireEye
perceived it.
reported exploit was done by a covert group, likely believed to be foreign
spies. The said group was purportedly taking advantage of the flaw to assault
U.S. companies when a Milpitas, California-based security firm FireEye
perceived it.
More of
the good news is that Microsoft did roll out this patch to fix the same flaw in
Windows XP, despite the fact that the company has already stopped supporting
the OS since Tuesday. This simply means that owners of around 20-30 percent of
computers worldwide would still able to get a fix for the latest IE flaw.
the good news is that Microsoft did roll out this patch to fix the same flaw in
Windows XP, despite the fact that the company has already stopped supporting
the OS since Tuesday. This simply means that owners of around 20-30 percent of
computers worldwide would still able to get a fix for the latest IE flaw.
Microsoft
however said that this would be the last patch it will offer to XP users and
that the latter shouldn’t expect to get more patches from the company in the
future.
however said that this would be the last patch it will offer to XP users and
that the latter shouldn’t expect to get more patches from the company in the
future.
In a
statement posted on the company’s TechNet blog, Microsoft’s Dustin C. Childs has
explicated the company grounds for offering patches to Windows XP users:
statement posted on the company’s TechNet blog, Microsoft’s Dustin C. Childs has
explicated the company grounds for offering patches to Windows XP users:
“We made the decision to issue a security update for Windows
XP users. Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, and we continue to
encourage customers to migrate to a modern operating system.”
XP users. Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, and we continue to
encourage customers to migrate to a modern operating system.”
While this
flaw was just exploited for a very specific target by a small group of
attackers, its public disclosure has given cybercriminals a hint to easily
create their own exploits that could possibly put all IE users of unpatched browser
versions vulnerable to future grim assaults.
flaw was just exploited for a very specific target by a small group of
attackers, its public disclosure has given cybercriminals a hint to easily
create their own exploits that could possibly put all IE users of unpatched browser
versions vulnerable to future grim assaults.
To get the
latest IE patch from Microsoft, please enable
the Automatic Updates on your computer and the update will automatically
install.
latest IE patch from Microsoft, please enable
the Automatic Updates on your computer and the update will automatically
install.
Users who
have not enabled Automatic Updates on their computer would need to manually install the latest patch.
have not enabled Automatic Updates on their computer would need to manually install the latest patch.
Here’s
how:
how:
1. Go to your PC’s Control Panel
2. Select System and Security option
3. Go to Windows Update
4. Manually install the patch
5. Click Change Settings in Windows
Update
Update
6. Select the option that says “Install Updates Automatically”
Wait until
the update installation is completed and after that, you should be good.
