Microsoft patches IE security hole

Microsoft has released a patch for an Internet Explorer bug in which the company's own files can be used to crash computers.

The flaw, located in the browser's "Active Setup Download" technology, allowed hackers or malicious Web site operators to overwrite files on Internet-connected computers. The patch updates Active Setup so that it treats Microsoft files the same way it does all other files, asking for a computer user's approval before they can be downloaded.

More details are available at www.news.com.