Microsoft this past week distributed a patch via Windows Update for a major security flaw in its software’s handling of the JPEG graphics format. This patch urged customers to use its new tool to locate the many applications that are vulnerable. The embedded virus could let an attacker run a malicious program on a victim’s computer as soon as the file was viewed via the IE browser or graphic editing program. Experts feel that a JPG virus attack is on the horizon.

The virus can attack unix and linux operating systems, but is less vulnerable.