Microsoft warns of major Internet Explorer security threat that gives hackers 'complete control' of your PC

Microsoft has issued warnings that a vulnerability in its Internet Explorer browser could let hackers gain access to consumers’ computers.

17:10 28 April 2014

Consumers have been warned about a flaw on Microsoft’s Internet Explorer that may leave their computers vulnerable to hackers. Affecting IE versions 6 - 11, this flaw could let hackers gain access and user rights to consumers’ computers. 

 

Microsoft added that hackers can potentially exploit the flaw. "If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system," the firm warned.

 

"An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.”

 

Microsoft said that investigation is underway and that it will take appropriate steps. 

 

But the firm added that Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2 runs in a restricted mode, which "mitigates this vulnerability".