Microsoft has said it will patch the hole in Internet Explorer that allowed hackers to access a number of email accounts.
A patch is not due until February, but the publicity surrounding the web attacks has forced the software giant to act quicker, BBC News reports.
The recent attacks by Chinese hackers primarily targeted human rights activist, but were also thought to have affected over 30 companies including Google and Adobe.
The French and German governments have both issued warnings in the past week, advising web users to switch to other browsers.
Microsoft's general manager of its trustworthy computing security group George Stathakopoulos said in a security advisory attended by the BBC: "Given the significant level of attention this issue has generated, confusion about what customers can do to protect themselves and the escalating threat environment Microsoft will release a security update out-of-band for this vulnerability."
He added that that the only successful attacks had been against Internet Explorer 6 and that customers should update to 8 in order to received improved protection.
Advertisement
Related Stories
- Google's Motorola buy gets the green light Feb 14th 2012 at 7:49AM
- Microsoft gets heavy on educational pricing Feb 13th 2012 at 5:54AM
- Google planning home invasion? Feb 10th 2012 at 6:58AM
- Windows 8 'consumer preview' at the end of February Feb 9th 2012 at 7:36AM
- Google brings Chrome beta to Android at last Feb 8th 2012 at 2:43AM
- Google's Tech City campus coming soon Feb 7th 2012 at 1:45PM
- Microsoft gets stingy with Technet Feb 6th 2012 at 7:11AM
- Microsoft UK pricing could rise Feb 3rd 2012 at 12:06PM
- Microsoft Windows Phone 8 details emerge Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:49AM
- Google describes 'Bouncer' Android anti-malware system Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:41AM
Follow Follow this article if you would like to receive notifications of updates.
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
0 comments
There are no comments yet, be the first to add one!