Windows Flaw Puts PC at Risk

Windows Flaw Puts PC at Risk

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Story Published: Jan 2, 2006 at 11:38 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:10 AM PST

By Herb Weisbaum

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SEATTLE - You know you shouldn't do it; you should never click any link in a spam e-mail. Now, that's more important than ever.

Malicious hackers have found another security hole in the Windows operating system and if they can lure you to their web sites, they can sneak viruses, spyware and other harmful code onto your computer.

All they have to do is get you to click on a link in an e-mail that sends you to a site with tainted picture files.

"If you're using Internet Explorer and that web site has one of these bad images on it," explains PC World magazine's Erik Larkin, "it can automatically download malicious programs onto your computer."

Hackers can also use the flaw to attack your computer via pictures in an e-mail attachment.

Microsoft has just released a patch to fix this security hole. You can download it from the Microsoft website.

For More Information:

Microsoft Plugs Windows Holes

Microsoft Bulletin and Download Info

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