A critical flaw in Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer Web browser could allow a hacker to take control of a computer, the world's largest software maker said Wednesday.
Microsoft, which issued the security bulletin outside of its regular monthly security update cycle, said that the software flaw can be fixed by downloading a software patch at its Web site www.microsoft.com/security.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said that computer users who have already installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 are already protected from the software flaw, but other users will have to update their software.
Microsoft warned that a hacker could design a Web page that could take advantage of the flaw in Internet Explorer, allowing a malicious software writer to take control, steal or erase data from a computer.
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