Microsoft's recent patch to Internet Explorer, prompted by complaints that the browser allowed tracking across domains, is supposed to notify users if sites attempt to use cookies in this manner. It appears, however, that the patch does not apply to the many domains affiliated with Microsoft. Users who travel across domains such as Hotmail, CarPoint, Expedia, bCentral and LinkExchange may find themselves quietly redirected to pages that use the information gathered in other MS domains. Not all analysts believe this is a violation of privacy, but Microsoft is addressing the question in its new privacy policy due in October.

In a related story, software vendors seeking to improve Web users' control over the personal information that can be gathered by Web sites are booming.

To read the story on MS cross-domain tracking, click news.com. For information on privacy enhancing software, read abcnews.go.com.