The new Internet Explorer vulnerability affects all major versions of the browser from the past decade. It allows attackers to install malware on your computer without your permission. That malware could be used to steal personal data, track online behavior, or gain control of the computer. Security firm FireEye, which discovered the bug, said that the flaw is being used with a known Flash-based exploit technique to attack financial and defense organizations in the US via Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11. Those versions of the browser run on Microsoft’s Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Here are some recommendations that can help you avoid this bug attack:
– Use another browser until Microsoft can fix the problem. Some other browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, don’t have the problem.
– If you can’t switch browsers, then disable Internet Explorer’s Flash plug-in, or download the latest version of Adobe Flash to avoid infection.
– Change passwords after a cyberattack. A large amount of AOL accounts were compromised by hackers, these will be notify after AOL investigations end.
– Enable the EPM (Enhanced Protected Mode), steps:
- Start Internet Explorer.
- Click Tools, and then click Internet options.
- On the Advanced tab, click on Enable Enhanced Protected Mode check box under Security.
- Click OK.
There is something positive about this situation; Microsoft is no longer charging Skype users for group video chats. It used to cost $10 a month to access group calls in Skype Premium, but not anymore. Also, Microsoft announced that they will begin pushing out original TV shows to Xbox owners, in June.