Those who know web know Microsoft's Internet Explorer, in any version, is slow and hopeless. It has now been revealed the most widely-used internet browser has a SERIOUS security hole that leaves computers exposed to hijack attempts.

Anti-virus software maker Trend Micro has confirmed that the said 'hole' helps criminals trick you and I into entering websites that contain code which can steal our passwords, as well as more serious information such as financials.

Trend Micro security researcher Paul Ferguson told the Associated Press that this flaw has not been repaired by Microsoft.

Microsoft, according to the same news network, is "investigating the flaw and is considering fixing it through an emergency software patch outside of its normal monthly updates, but declined further comment".

Quite frankly, this is not good enough.

I will encourage everybody I know to switch browsers immediately. There are viable options out there that won't only help your security; they will also speed up your daily business on the internet.

The best option at the moment is Firefox (please click here to download), which is developed by the Mozilla open source community and has been leading innovation in the browser game for many years now.

Other viable options include Google's Chrome (please click here to download), which has less features than Firefox but is getting better day by day. It is now out of beta testing mode.

And Apple's Safari (please click here to download) is also a solid performer and is available for both Mac and Windows.

The move by many web users to the above options has Microsoft quaking (Firefox already has 20% market share according to recent statistics).

Internet Explorer would be far less dominant if it wasn't a default on all Windows computers, which is also a reason that some major PC manufacturers are now doing deals with the likes of Firefox and Google to include their browsers as defaults.

* Feel free to read Internet Explorer review by respect IT review website, CNET. Click here.