San Fransisco – Microsoft on Tuesday warned that hackers are targeting a freshly-uncovered weakness in some earlier versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) web browser software.
Microsoft said it is investigating a hole that cyber attackers are taking advantage of in IE 6 and IE 7.
"At this time, we are aware of targeted attacks attempting to use this vulnerability," Microsoft said in an advisory posted along with a routine release of patches for Windows and Office software.
Continues Below↓"We will continue to monitor the threat environment and update this advisory if this situation changes."
Hackers could use the flaw to remotely seize control of computers. The new IE 8 web browser and an old IE 5 version are not affected, according to the US software colossus.
The warning came less than two months after Microsoft released a patch for an IE 6 software hole through which China-based cyber spies attacked Google and other firms.
No matter which web browser people use, upgrading to the most current version promises to increase protection against hackers. - AFP
