The no-longer supported Windows XP has a new security flaw that has been discovered in Internet Explorer should cause you quite a bit of dismay if you still subscribe to it. Yesterday Microsoft published a security advisory warning its customers that a vulnerability in all versions of Internet Explorer (6 through 11). This flaw allows hackers gain full user permissions over your computer, they can take control of it and install programs, view and erase data, and much more simply by visiting a website.
For those using Windows XP, of course dont’t expect any way out of this as Microsoft will release a patch for only Internet Explorer on a modern version of Windows in a few weeks’ time. Early this month, Microsoft finally stopped support for Windows XP, it will not receive an update. This is the first known security flaw since that support deadline passed, and it bears true the warnings voiced by the tech community. Its official after 12 years Windows XP is no longer secure, and it’s time to move on.
The flaw was revealed to Microsoft by Security firm FireEye, and the company says that there’s evidence of an active exploit targeting Internet Explorer 9 through 11 and Adobe Flash. All Internet Explorer users, regardless of operating system, have a few choices for avoiding this exploit. Using another browser like Chrome or Firefox (both of which are still supported for Windows XP) could be a work around. If for some weird reason you need to stick with Internet Explorer, Microsoft has published some more advanced methods alongside its service advisory, to get you going.
