New ‘security patch’ software tackles major internet security breach

Computer giants like Microsoft, Sun, and Cisco are distributing new software to tackle a major security glitch in the internet addressing system.

The flaw was such that it could enable conmen to redirected internet users to fake webpages, even if they typed the correct address into a browser, and thereby trick them into disclosing their credit card details or other personal data.

Security expert Dan Kaminsky, who accidentally discovered the error in the Domain Name System (DNS) about six months ago, said that the case was unprecedented.

"People should be concerned but they should not be panicking," the BBC quoted him as saying.