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Hi Jo Ann. You're using Windows XP and you'd have to jump through hoops to remove Internet Explorer from that operating system. On XP Internet Explorer is a part of the operating system (which is why the European Union sued Microsoft for being a monopoly).

If everyone uninstalled Internet Explorer every time a new flaw was found it that let "hackers" control your computer, we'd have all removed it at least a dozen times by now. Microsoft's Internet Explorer is still used by more than 50% of all people when they browse the web. Right now it's about 57%. Six years ago it was over 90%. Still, 57% of billions is a lot of people and it makes a juicy target for miscreants who have nothing better to do that ruin things for everyone else.

Here's the scoop on that vulnerability, and note it applies to Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 (32bit only):

"...The vulnerability is cataloged with the number 2501696 , affect almost all versions of Windows ( XP , Server 2003, Vista and server 2008 ) and is caused by a failure in managing the MHTML protocol (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension Hypertext Markup Language ) that would allow code injection in response to the execution of a request from Internet Explorer.

This vulnerability is classified as intermediate by INTECO , could allow an attacker to run commands when a user visited sites engineered to exploit this vulnerability, thus running the risk that the attacker could access information from the user, for example, to steal .

So far no update to fix this vulnerability, but Microsoft is working on it, so that in the meantime, Microsoft has made available to users to a website from which disable the MHTML protocol , so the risk is eliminated, but until the patch is released, the vulnerability would not be repaired. (See http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/2501696.mspx for more information)

The vulnerability is centered in Internet Explorer and MHTML protocol management, therefore, users of other browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox would be out of danger because, in the case of Chrome, it does not support MHTML protocol natively and in the case of Firefox, just install an extension that allows you to handle such files..."

Keep in mind, Jo Ann, if you use the workaround provided by Microsoft (until a patch is released), you may not be able to use certain features of Outlook Express (Vista users, you may not be able to use certain features of Windows Mail) - so unexpected consequences may occur. Also note this vulnerability is listed as "intermediate" and not severe.

I think, and I want to make it clear that this is just my opinion, and EB doesn't share my opinion, that it's time that everyone installed a different browser and learned to use it. Those of you who like Internet Explorer, keep it as your default browser, but it really doesn't hurt to expand your knowledge and try new things. There are two other great browsers out there that I use: Firefox and Chrome. I haven't used IE in months and I don't miss it or ever intend to go back to it. Right now Chrome is my default browser and I haven't been to a site yet (other than Windows Update) which I can't use. There's even an extension you can install in Chrome to make it render pages like IE so you can even use it on Windows Updates and other so-called "IE-only" sites. I have IE Tab (extension) installed in Firefox so I use Firefox with IE Tab to view the rare "IE-only" sites.

Rather than crippling your mail program or risking unexpected consequences by using the workaround from Microsoft, now would be a great time for you to install Firefox or Chrome and learn to use it. You can get Firefox (free) from http://get.firefox.com/ or Chrome from http://chrome.google.com. Chrome is also free.

There's another browser out there, that some think is better than Google Chrome or Firefox: it's called Apple Safari. I don't think it's nearly as good as Chrome or Firefox. I think Apple makes great computers and devices; I think Apple makes great software, but I don't think Apple makes great software for Windows. It's bulky, includes all kinds of stuff (updaters and so forth), and always seems to want to install more things than I want. So if you want to try Apple Safari anyway (many do like it) you can get that from http://apple.com/safari .

Make sure, until the vulnerability is patched by Microsoft that you either use a different browser or use IE and stick with sites you know and trust. And remember too, a lot of sensationalism is being propagated by news organizations, media outlets, and Web site, eager to catch your attention. If you did nothing at all, the chances that information would be stolen from your computer, or that your computer would be controlled by some "hacker", are very, very slim indeed.

Internet Explorer has a long checkered history of being a very flawed browser. This isn't necessarily Microsoft's fault; Internet Explorer has been the most popular browser for a long time - and it's a big, big target for criminals and other misanthropes. As Internet Explorer's stranglehold on the browser market loosens, it will be become a less attractive target for those who seek to exploit it. Unfortunately, as other browsers increase in popularity, they'll become bigger targets. But Firefox and Google seem to be much more proactive and respond more quickly than Microsoft - so the flaws exposed in those browsers are patched more quickly and without as much fanfare.