TECH BITS: Emergency fix for Web security flaw by Microsoft

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. is taking the unusual step of issuing an emergency fix for a security hole in its Internet Explorer software that has exposed millions of users to having their computers taken over by hackers.

The “zero-day” vulnerability, which came to light last week, allows criminals to take over victims’ machines simply by steering them to infected Web sites; users don’t have to download anything for their computers to get infected, which makes the flaw in Internet Explorer’s programming code so dangerous. Internet Explorer is the world’s most widely used Web browser.

Microsoft shipped a security update, rated “critical,” for the browser on Wednesday. People with the Windows Update feature activated on their computers will get the patch automatically.

Thousands of Web sites already have been compromised by criminals looking to exploit the flaw. The bad guys have loaded malicious code onto those sites that automatically infect visitors’ machines if they’re using Internet Explorer and haven’t employed a complicated series of work-arounds from Microsoft.

Microsoft said it has seen attacks targeting the flaw only in Internet Explorer 7, the most widely used version, but has cautioned that all other current editions of the browser are vulnerable.

Microsoft rarely issues security fixes for its software outside of its regular monthly updates. The company last did it in October, and 1 1/2 years before that.

Cable companies to delay confusing digital switch

Cable TV operators say they’ll voluntarily stop moving analog channels to more expensive digital tiers of service between Dec. 31 and March 1, to avoid confusing customers as the nation switches to digital broadcast transmissions in February.

In letters to Congress last week, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association said cable TV companies don’t want to add a “layer of complexity” as U.S. broadcasters begin to transmit all-digital signals after Feb. 17.

Cable companies are facing regulatory scrutiny over their practice of switching analog channels to digital - leaving analog consumers with fewer channels to watch unless they use adapters, rent a digital set-top box or upgrade to digital. Cable operators say they are trying to accommodate customers by offering promotions such as free adapters.

Cable TV operators’ decision to move analog channels to digital frees them to use their network bandwidth for more high-definition content and other services.

It is not related to the national switch to digital broadcasting. Regulators are investigating whether providers are misleading customers into thinking the two events are linked, which could prompt more people to opt for digital video services.

Once cable operators resume moving analog channels to digital, from March 2 to June 30, the companies will give analog households at least one piece of equipment free for one year to let them continue watching.

Certain fees also will be waived temporarily. The industry promised to notify customers and franchising officials at least 30 days in advance of the switch.

Consumers Union, which had criticized cable’s channel-switching tactics, hailed the move as a “welcome first step to help consumers navigate a costly maze of confusion surrounding the (digital TV) transition.”