Beware! Hackers on the prowl!

SEATTLE:Users flocked to Microsoft Corp.'s web site on Friday, after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned that hackers were planning to attack computers, by exploiting a previously announced flaw in Windows operating systems.

The flaw, revealed by Microsoft two weeks ago, works by exploiting a tool that allows one computer to run programs on another computer over the Internet or over corporate networks.

The Department of Homeland Security, created in response to the 2001 hijacking attacks, issued two warnings this week saying that "several working exploits are now in widespread distribution on the Internet."

Those seeking to exploit the flaw were scanning for vulnerable computers, the U.S. government said in its warning.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has provided a patch that could be downloaded to fix the problem for the past two weeks, but traffic to the software giant's Web site increased significantly since the U.S. government issued its warnings.

The flaw exists in Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP as well as Microsoft's newest major operating system, Windows Server 2003, used to manage networked computers.

Microsoft promised to improve the security and reliability of its software 18 months ago in a memo issued by Chairman Bill Gates.

©Reuters