WARNING: The German government agency overseeing IT safety is warning of a security breach in Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

WHAT TO DO: In its warning published late Monday, Germany's IT watchdog called on people using Windows XP or Windows 7 operating systems and Internet Explorer versions 7, 8 or 9 to switch to alternative browsers until Microsoft updates the browser's security features.

RESPONSE: Microsoft says it is aware of the issue and is working on soon rolling out a software update, a so-called patch, to fix the browser's security features.