Microsoft has released automated workarounds designed to immunize users against a critical vulnerability in earlier versions of Internet Explorer, which criminals are already exploiting online.
The "Fix It" updates were
released over the weekend for people who still use IE versions 6 and 7. The fixes are by no means foolproof. One of them disables the so-called peer factory functionality the browser may need to carry out certain tasks, such as printing. The other turns on a measure known as DEP, or data execution prevention, on more recent operating systems.
The releases are meant to serve as temporary fixes until an update is offered that patches the hole. Microsoft
disclosed the vulnerability last week and warned that crooks are already using it to remotely execute malicious code on customers' computers.
