Microsoft's Fixes for Safer Browsing

If you're afraid someone may try to peek up your modem while you surf the Web, get the following recent Microsoft patches for Internet Explorer and ancillary software apps. One corrects a hole that could allow a rigged Web site or e-mail message to wreck your PC. The other corrects problems that could expose at least some of your files to ill-intentioned Web site operators.

BUG: The Microsoft Clip Art Gallery, which comes with many Microsoft apps, including Office 2000 and Works 2000, lets users download additional clip art from other sources in files that use Microsoft's standard CIL format. Through a Web site or e-mail--and without your knowledge--a hacker could introduce a file using the CIL format to wreak havoc with your system.

FIX: For a link to the 96KB download, point your browser to the Windows Update site

BUG: A villainous Web site operator could exploit a weakness in Internet Explorer 4.x and 5.x to rifle through some of your personal files. The hacker would need to know the name and location of your files, and these would have to be viewable in a browser window (for example, as. txt, .htm, and .js files are). But that possibility is less remote than it sounds. Much of your most sensitive data--including passwords and e-mail messages--are stored in standard locations by popular software packages. For the complete details, go to Symantec Service and Support,

FIX: Download a 1MB patch at the Windows Update site or Microsoft's "Image Source Redirect" Vulnerability Update page.