SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Users of all current versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser might be vulnerable to having their computers hijacked because of a serious security hole in the software that had yet to be fixed Monday.

The flaw lets criminals commandeer victims' machines merely by tricking them into visiting Web sites tainted with malicious programming code. As many as 10,000 sites have been compromised since last week to exploit the browser flaw, according to antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc.

The sites are mostly Chinese and have been serving up programs that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold for money on the black market. However, the hole is such that it could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals for more serious mayhem -- that's a big fear right now," Paul Ferguson, a Trend Micro security researcher, said Monday.

"Zero-day" vulnerabilities like this are security holes that haven't been repaired by the software makers. They're a gold mine for criminals because users have few ways to fight off attacks.

"This is a gift from the Iraqis, this is the farewell kiss, you dog. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

-- Muntadhar al-Zeidi

A fitting final image of the Bush escapade in Iraq, and of his presidency.

Props to "STOP George" at Daily Kos, from whom I borrowed this image.

Strangely hypnotic. I can't seem to stop watching it. I think I keep hoping that one of the shoes will finally hit him. Is that bad of me? It seems like a minor thing compared to the deaths of over 100,000 innocent Iraqi men, women and children.

Free Muntader al-Zaidi!