Microsoft RACES to fix Internet Explorer bug that puts a QUARTER of web users at risk

Microsoft Corp is rushing to fix a bug in its widely used Internet Explorer web browser after a computer security firm disclosed the flaw over the weekend, saying hackers have already exploited it in attacks on some U.S. companies.

Microsoft disclosed on Saturday its plans to fix the bug, which targets Internet Explorer versions 9 through 11.

Those versions take up 26.25 percent of the browser market, according to FireEye, the cybersecurity software company that caught the bug.

The bug, however, reportedly affects versions 6 through 11. Together, those versions dominate desktop browsing, accounting for 55 percent of the PC browser market, according to tech research firm NetMarketShare.

PCs running Windows XP will not receive any updates fixing that bug when they are released, however, because Microsoft stopped supporting the 13-year-old operating system earlier this month.

Security firms estimate that between 15 and 25 percent of the world's PCs still run Windows XP.

FireEye Inc said that a sophisticated group of hackers have been exploiting the bug in a campaign dubbed 'Operation Clandestine Fox.'

FireEye, whose Mandiant division helps companies respond to cyber attacks, declined to name specific victims or identify the group of hackers, saying that an investigation into the matter is still active. It described the hackers as 'extremely proficient at lateral movement' and 'difficult to track.'

'It's a campaign of targeted attacks seemingly against U.S.-based firms, currently tied to defense and financial sectors,' FireEye spokesman Vitor De Souza said via email. 'It's unclear what the motives of this attack group are, at this point. It appears to be broad-spectrum intel gathering.'

He declined to elaborate, though he said one way to protect against them would be to switch to another browser.

Microsoft said in the advisory that the vulnerability could allow a hacker to take complete control of an affected system, then do things such as viewing changing, or deleting data, installing malicious programs, or creating accounts that would give hackers full user rights.

FireEye and Microsoft have not provided much information about the security flaw or the approach that hackers could use to figure out how to exploit it, said Aviv Raff, chief technology officer of cybersecurity firm Seculert.

Yet other groups of hackers are now racing to learn more about it so they can launch similar attacks before Microsoft prepares a security update, Raff said.

'Microsoft should move fast,' he said. 'This will snowball.'

Still, he cautioned that Windows XP users will not benefit from that update since Microsoft has just halted support for that product.

The software maker said in a statement to Reuters that it advises Windows XP users to upgrade to one of two most recently versions of its operating system, Windows 7 or 8.

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70% Of Bank Atms Exposed To Fraud – Microsoft

Over 70 per cent of Automated Teller Machines owned and operated by banks in the country, which are currently running on the Windows XP operating system, are exposed to frauds as Microsoft has foreclosed the extension of the deadline for cyber security support for the banks.

Microsoft had on April 8 stopped offering cyber security and technical support for the Windows XP, following a year’s notice.

Banks in the country have been discussing with Microsoft Nigeria for a possible extension of the deadline.

The Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Kabelo Makwane, however, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the American company would not grant any extension to banks in the country.

Makwane, who spoke through the Country Chief Technology Officer of the company, Mr. Olayinka Oni, said Microsoft was in advance discussions with the banks to get them migrated to the Windows 8 operating system.

Mourinho revels in Liverpool derailment

It's good starting the blog again with Chelsea fantastic result at Anfield on sunday.I actually went on break so as to concentrate more on personal and family stuff.Now,I'm back to update you dear readers of recent news globally.
Liverpool (AFP) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho taunted Liverpool about their ineffective tactics after his side handed Manchester City the initiative in the Premier League title race with victory at Anfield.
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Chelsea's 2-0 success on Sunday effectively means that City can claim the title by winning their three remaining games.

Manuel Pellegrini's team trail Liverpool, the leaders, by three points, but they have a match in hand -- at home to struggling Aston Villa -- and an eight-goal advantage in terms of goal difference.

Liverpool had been on a run of 11 straight wins prior to facing Chelsea, but the visitors' spoiling tactics successfully prevented the hosts from building momentum, quietening the Anfield crowd.