Microsoft Patches Fix IE, Sony Flaws

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft issued two security updates today, one of which fixes at least four flaws in its Internet Explorer browser, including one for which an exploit was released over Thanksgiving that is now being used by a handful of porn sites to install spyware, etc. According to Washingtonpost.com, the IE patch also removes a component left behind by a patch from Sony BMG designed to remove some of the more dangerous features of anti-piracy software installed by Sony BMG music CDs. Researchers found that the Sony patch changed settings in IE so that any Web site could install software on those machines."

Comments

Re:two wrongs

[rapidweather]

I know, Microsoft is supposed to be evil. Well they really struck the nail on the head when they figured out how to get their OS preinstalled on computers in the stores. I remember going into Office Depot, and seeing lots of machines running Windows 3.1. No internet, but lots of Paintbrush and Solitare. Yes, today I downloaded the patches,etc. for my Windows XP machine, and that took a few short minutes. Praises for XP, of course, unless you consider the magnitude of the attacks. Do I want to let XP onto the internet for anything but updates?
Getting less and less of a thing to do. XP handles those printers and digital cameras really well, so it will always have something to do. There is always someone in the family that uses AOL (gasp) so I do keep this box up and running.
Am I posting this on XP now? Nope, I'm online with my own Knoppix remaster as usual. Using Flock today...