Discovery of Flame, the computer virus that mainly affected the Middle East, has prompted Microsoft to strengthen the security of a Windows program that helps customers secure their PCs and update software.

RECENT versions of the Microsoft Windows computer operating system contain a “critical” security hole that an attacker could use to prevent some on-line transactions.

Recent versions of the Microsoft Windows computer operating system contain a “critical” security hole that an attacker could use to prevent some on-line transactions.