Due to a flaw in Internet Explorer, computer experts are warning not to use that particular browser until the flaw can be fixed.

Centric Internet Services Operations Manager Katie LaSalle-Lowry said the warnings about Internet Explorer are coming from the highest levels.

"The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and Homeland Security are saying that there is currently a flaw in Internet Explorer that could allow hackers to obtain personal or company data from your computer or network, or even gain control of your computer and thus use it to attack other network systems," LaSalle-Lowery said. "Normal internet security, such as Norton or Microsoft Essentials have no effect upon this particular attack, and to be honest, there are other attacks that these security systems cannot stop. That's why it's important to keep your system up to date by downloading all the latest security updates."

LaSalle-Lowery said those with outdated operating systems are particularly vulnerable to this security flaw.

"As of this month, the Windows XP operating system is no longer being supported by Microsoft," LaSalle-Lowery said. "At this time, users are being advised to utilize another browser besides Internet Explorer, such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome."

LaSalle-Lowery said Microsoft is hard at work to find a fix for this extensive security flaw, but there is no set time when a solution might be announced.

"Usually, Microsoft issues security updates on the second Tuesday of each month, they call it "Patch Tuesday," LaSalle-Lower said. "Sometimes when there are more critical issues then Microsoft will issue immediate updates, however, Microsoft has not said when they will produce a patch for this particular flaw."

LaSalle-Lowery can be reached by calling Centric Internet Services at 406-549-3337, or via email at support at centric.net.

Centric Internet Operations Manager Katie LaSalle-Lowery

 

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