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​​​​Computer code that could let attackers take complete control over
computers cruising the Web with unpatched versions of the Firefox Internet browser has been released, so if you're using Firefox and haven't upgraded to the latest version, you should upgrade immediately.  The exploit also applies to the latest version of Netscape, but Netscape has not yet released a fix for this problem.

This is not your run-of-the-mill proof of concept exploit code.
It appears to be quite comprehensive, and would allow any attacker to
use it with only slight modifications. According to the advisory,
the code is designed to be embedded in a Web site so that anyone
computer visiting the evil site with Firefox or Netscape would open up
a line of communication with another Internet address of the attacker's
choice, effectively letting the bad guys control the victim computer
from afar.

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While most Internet users still load Internet Explorer to surf the web, an increasing number of users (especially those geeky ones) choose to use a different program, such as Mozilla Firefox. Another alternative, Opera, while highly rated has always lagged behind in usage because it required either a purchase of the program, or putting up with banner advertisements while surfing. This turned off many people since both Internet Explorer and Firefox are available for use free of charge.

Opera 8.50 now joins the ranks of free web browsers. Touted as "The world's fastest web browser" it will no doubt attract many more new users now.

To download a copy and give it a try, click here.

Microsoft, like many software companies today, is seeking to help prevent ID theft. To accomplish this goal they are developing new tools that caution consumers when "phishing" attacks are under way on the Internet.

Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer 7 browser, which is available now only in beta tests, features the new filtering technology. Until Internet Explorer 7 becomes widely available however, they are working on making this feature available to users of older versions of Internet Explorer. The Microsoft anti-phishing tool will be available to computer users running the Windows XP operating system with last year's Service Pack 2 security upgrade. Microsoft, however, apparently did not develop the new feature itself.

A Microsoft employee has confirmed that the company would not be releasing IE 7 for Windows 2000 or earlier versions of Windows.

"It should be no surprise that we do not plan on releasing IE 7 for Windows 2000. One reason is where we are in the Windows 2000 lifecycle. Another is that some of the security work in IE 7 relies on operating system functionality in XP SP2 that is non-trivial to port back to Windows 2000," according to the employee.

Internet Explorer 7, available in beta later this summer, will offer improved security features and basic tabbed browsing. It is also expected to offer improved web standards support. But by leaving out all users of Windows prior to Windows XP, some think they are opening up an opportunity for other browsers to gain popularity, in particular Mozilla Foundation's Firefox browser.