Internet Explorer users, get your updates or go somewhere else for your browsing needs.

Microsoft (MSFT), the owner of one of world's most widely used Internet browsers, says it has to plug a hole that's left IE9 and earlier versions of the product vulnerable to hackers who could trick users into visiting malicious Web sites, allowing the remote execution of harmful code.

The company said Monday it had received "reports of only a small number of targeted attacks" and a fix was in the works. Microsoft issued instructions on what users could do for the time being to better protect their computers, the details of which can be found here.

While IE versions back to 6 are affected by the problem, IE10 isn't, Microsoft said.

According to software security firm Symantec (SYMC), the hack is hosted on the same servers used in what's called the Nitro attack, a 2011 campaign against a variety of chemical and defense companies. During Nitro, hackers used a known Trojan horse called Poison Ivy,

By Ron Haskins

"Stupid, ridiculous, insane, nuts, outrageous" — these are just a few of the labels that politicians, editorial page writers and budget analysts have applied to the budget sequester that will hit hundreds of federal programs on January 2, 2013. Although the sequester has been in place since last summer, a new wave of outrage was caused by last week's Office of Management and Budget report that provided greater detail about the programs that would be cut by the sequester. Personally, I agree with all of the above labels. And yet...

What Is the Sequester?

But before we get to the "and yet...," let's review the bidding. For many years, federal policymakers have spent more money than they have coming in. Policymakers were able to "steer" this irresponsible course because the U.S. has the most powerful economy in history and a long record of repaying its debts. So private American investors, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Saudis, and almost everyone else with a little lose