Microsoft Releases Security Patch for Internet Explorer

In what can only be described as an attempt to address the growing security concerns motivated by recent events, Microsoft will be releasing a security update for Internet Explorer. The release will be an uncharacteristic out-of-cycle release that is clearly meant to nip concerns in the bud. Security failures in Internet Explorer 6 have been cited as a cause of the now-famous Chinese/Google attack that affected a number of U.S. companies. Microsoft is also recommending that all IE users upgrade to IE8.

In a statement, the company explained the decision to issue the security update: ” Given the significant level of attention this issue has generated, confusion about what customers can do to protect themselves and the escalating threat environment Microsoft will release a security update out-of-band for this vulnerability. We take the decision to go out-of-band very seriously given the impact to customers, but we believe releasing an update out-of-band update is the right decision at this time.  We will provide the specific timing of the release tomorrow.” [via TechCrunch]