US first lady Michelle Obama and vice president Joe Biden are among the latest public figures to have their private information posted on a mysterious website.

Microsoft is scrambling to update its Windows Media software after a hacker released a programme that circumvents a safeguard designed to prevent people from freely copying digital movies and songs.

Microsoft is attempting to plug a glaring hole in some versions of its Windows software, a weakness similar to those exploited by the devastating “Blaster” and “Sasser” attacks, a security expert says.

Microsoft's newest version of Windows contains serious flaws that allow hackers to steal a victim's data files across the internet or implant rogue computer software.