Microsoft Edge has urgent security flaw — what to do now
A major security bug was discovered in Microsoft's web browser
The same security bug that recently bit the Chrome web browser also affects Microsoft's Edge browser. The flaw allows hackers to exploit a so-called buffer overflow and then execute their own code, bypassing all security measures in the browser. And since Microsoft Edge is built on the same foundation as Chrome, it's vulnerable to the same kind of attack.
Fortunately, Microsoft has released a patch for Edge, which protects against this flaw. We'll show you how to update your Edge browser, which takes no time at all.
How to update Microsoft Edge
To update Microsoft Edge on a Windows computer, click on the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of the browser window.
In the menu that appears, select Help and feedback.
Next, select About Microsoft Edge.
When this opens, the browser should automatically search for updates and start updating itself (a bar will show its progress).
When complete, click on the Restart button to relaunch the browser.
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If automatic updates aren't already turned on, it's recommended to activate that feature so that the browser will always be on the latest version.
For more browser-related stories, you should check out why you shouldn't let a web browser save your passwords, and why DuckDuckGo isn't as private as you think, as well as all the new features in Chrome 102.
Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.