Internet Explorer Problems: IE 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 At Risk of Malware Attacks; Microsoft Issues Security Bulletin, Patches & Webcast Coming Soon

Microsoft has issued a security bulletin, which include five critical ratings and seven important warnings.

A total of 57 components of Microsoft have been reported for a few Windows operating systems, such as XP, Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Among the components labeled critical are Internet Explorer (IE) 6, IE 7, IE 8, IE 9, and IE 10

For the 57 components that are at risk of malware attacks, Microsoft has stated they will issue 12 patches in the incoming week.

Critical, under Microsoft is, "A vulnerability whose exploitation could allow code execution without user interaction. These scenarios include self-propagating malware (e.g. network worms), or unavoidable common use scenarios where code execution occurs without warnings or prompts. This could mean browsing to a web page or opening email."

An Important warning by Microsoft is, "A vulnerability whose exploitation could result in compromise of the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of user data, or of the integrity or availability of processing resources. These scenarios include common use scenarios where client is compromised with warnings or prompts regardless of the prompt's provenance, quality, or usability. Sequences of user actions that do not generate prompts or warnings are also covered."

Microsoft will host a webcast on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. EST to address questions by customers on the security bulletins. For users interested in watching the webcast, they must register by clicking here. The webcast will be available on-demand after the Feb. 13 date.

Users are encouraged to use another browser until Microsoft posts the patches.