Web browser flaw creates opportunity for hackers

Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser has a security flaw that could allow hackers to run programs on another user's computer.

The glitch causes IE automatically to open specially coded attachments in e-mail without warning, possibly unleashing programs that could enable senders to delete files. Versions 5.01 and 5.5 are affected.

A patch can be downloaded from the Microsoft website, www.microsoft.com