Microsoft Releases Emergency Patch for Internet Explorer Vulnerability
If you are still using Internet Explorer on Windows 7, Windows 8x or any version of Windows 10, make sure you install the latest cumulative update issued by Microsoft – or at least download the IE 11 patch for your version of Windows (instructions near the end of this article).
According to Microsoft, an attacker could take control of your computer via an unpatched Internet Explorer browser vulnerability. This vulnerability affects everyone who uses Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10, Windows 8x and Windows 7.
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that the scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer. The vulnerability could corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could take control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit the vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website, for example, by sending an email.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the scripting engine handles objects in memory.
The update will be distributed as an out-of-band cumulative update or you can download just the IE patch for your version of Windows here.
If you decide to download just the patch, you’ll need to know your Windows 10 version number which you can find by typing WINVER in taskbar search and pressing Enter. And whether you’re using Windows 10, Windows 8x or Windows 7, you’ll need to know whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit system. You can do that by opening a Run dialog (Windows Key + R) and typing MSINFO32 into the Run box and pressing Enter. In the window that opens… look for “System type”. You’ll see in that dialog if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit system.
I use google do I need to be concerned about this problem?
Thank you in advance for all you guys do!!!!
I have the same question as Helen. I use Google as I’ve never cared much for their internet explorer. So, I”m not sure if I even need to think about this.
If you do not browse the web with IE you don’t need the patch.
If you do not browse the web with IE you don’t need the patch.
I have Windows 10 and use Google also, But I make my Web pages on IE so I can hear the sounds I use.
What patch for IE do I need?
thanks a million for your help
Jody G
You can’t make Web pages in IE. It’s a browser, not an HTML editor. So not sure what you’re making HTML (Web pages) with, but it’s not IE. You mean you’re checking Web pages you make using IE. If you don’t browse the web with IE then you don’t really need the update. The IE vulnerability is not related to local use (checking pages you make). Microsoft released an optional cumulative update yesterday – you can install via Windows Updates if you think you need it. Additionally, you can download the patch for your version of Windows and system type from the article.
yes I am sorry I did mean viewing my pages I make in IE. thank you for your reply and your advice. I only use IE to view my web pages.
thanks
Jody
I used IE for everything until last year when I read comments here about Chrome. Have been using Chrome with no problems. Does this mean that when I browse the internet that it’s Chrome that is working or would I still have IE? Thanks for all your info. You guys are great! Norma
All Windows computers have IE. If you don’t use it, you don’t need the patch.
Thanks to those who asked the question regarding using Chrome, etc., and thank you Infoave for giving an answer…. Glad I don’t have to bother!
I was going to do the patch, because I used IE for one program. But as I’ve heard that EDGE is actually the ‘replacement’ for IE, I decided to try it…and yes, it does work with that one program! So I won’t be using IE at all now.