So what is the problem? Well there is a bug in versions 6, 7 and 8 of the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser, which could result in your computer being attacked by criminals. Microsoft is still investigating the bug, so as yet a fix is not available. However there is no evidence that moving from the latest fully patched versions of Internet Explorer to other browsers will make users more secure.
The following options are available to help protect users until Microsoft releases an update. Follow the instructions in the Microsoft bulletin to increase the security level of Internet Explorer and only allow known trusted sites to be unrestricted. You may have to undo these changes once an update is available.
Install the Microsoft FixIt to enable data execution prevention, which will help stop criminals from using this vulnerability. Again you may have to uninstall the FixIt once an update is available.
If home users and small businesses do not wish to install the temporary fixes, you could consider using an alternate web browser until an update becomes available. If you choose to install a different web browser remember to click “yes” when it asks to be set as the default.
Get Safe Online operates the ITsafe Warning Service. Get Safe Online’s Alerts and Warnings Feed provides timely updates about security issues from HM Government sources.
