The Microsoft Tax: Critical flaw lets hackers take remote control of Windows PCs; Mac unaffected

Apple Online Store“An emergency Windows software update will close a loophole in Microsoft’s operating system that makes it easy for hackers to take control of a computer using shortcuts,” Claudine Beaumont reports for The Independent.

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“Microsoft has confirmed that it will release an emergency, ‘out of band’ patch to close a loophole that made it easy for hackers and cyber criminals to gain remote access to PCs,” Beaumont reports. “The software update will patch a vulnerability in the way Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 handle shortcuts, also known as .lnk files.”

Beaumont reports, “Microsoft said it had seen a significant ‘increase in attempts’ by hackers over the last few days to take advantage of the loophole, which enables them to take control of a computer by tricking users in to clicking on infected shortcut links.”

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Another Irish Dude” for the heads up.]

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