Microsoft warns of critical IE flaw

Microsoft has warned of a flaw in Internet Explorer that could allow hackers to take control of your computer.

The software giant said that attackers are exploiting a critical hole in the browser's ActiveX controls.

The vulnerability was found in a program used to play video on computers running the Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 operating systems, Microsoft said.

"An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. We are aware of attacks attempting to exploit the vulnerability," Microsoft said in a security bulletin.

The company is currently working with partners to patch the breach in ActiveX Video Control, which is used to capture, record and play video and is a central component to the Windows Media Center.

Read Web User's guide to staying safe online

Microsoft said that Vista and Server 2008 users are not affected "because the ability to pass data to this control within Internet Explorer has been restricted".

However, Microsoft recommends that users disable the ActiveX control "as a defense-in-depth measure".

You can do so by visiting the Microsoft security site and following the instructions at the bottom of the page to apply the workaround.