Microsoft issues Internet Explorer vulnerability guidance

Microsoft has issued guidance for the Internet Explorer vulnerability currently plaguing its users, in a bid to buy time while it works on a permanent solution.

Revealed earlier this week, Redmond warned users of a vulnerability in its Internet Explorer browser, severe enough to allow hackers to gain access and user rights to their computer.

Affecting Internet Explorer versions 6 to 11, Microsoft is currently working on a solution to the issue following an investigation.

"As criminals become more sophisticated, it is important to keep current with software that has the latest security protections built in," says an official company release.

According to Redmond, modern browsers and operating systems like Windows 7 and Windows 8 have greater security features than older operating systems.

"Additionally, for those customers who run Windows XP, Microsoft no longer provides security updates for this operating system and encourages them to switch to a modern operating system, like Windows 7 or 8.

There are three things you can do to help protect yourself against this risk:

* Exercise caution when visiting untrusted websites:

Avoid clicking suspicious links or opening email messages from unfamiliar senders, which could send you to a malicious website that delivers malware to your computer.

Visit www.microsoft.com/protect for more information about how to avoid phishing scams.

* Turn on "Enhanced Protected Mode" in Internet Explorer 10 and 11:

Some versions of Internet Explorer have this setting on by default. To turn on Enhanced Protected Mode:

Step 1: Click on "Tools" in the Internet Explorer task bar and then "Internet Options."

Step 2: Click on the tab "Security," and then check the box for Enhanced Protected Mode.

* Download and install EMET 4.1, a Microsoft security tool, for an additional layer of protection.

To download EMET, visit www.Microsoft.com/EMET.

More information can be found at: www.microsoft.com/protect.