MSN, Alexa get to see IE data, firm claims

A BUG IN INTERNET EXPLORER will send data to MSN and Alexa, a firm claimed earlier this month.

The bug, identified by Secunia, claims that a so-called known featuer in IE, will continue to trasmit data to both msn.com and alexa.com, even after the "Show Related Links" option is switched off.

Secunia claims the bug means that a URL, which could include user names, passwords or whatever happens to be in the Window pane, is sent in plain text to msn.com and alexa.com.

It applies to both IE 6 on W2K and Windows XP with all service packs and hot fixes, claims Secunia, which describes the condition as "moderately critical".

The solution is to filter traffic so Mr MSN and Mrs Alexa don't get sent your data.

The note is here. µ