Microsoft warns of security threat for Apple Safari browser users

Microsoft is warning of a potential threat for users of the Apple Safari for Windows browser.

Users of the Safari browser running on a Windows XP or Windows Vista are at risk from possible unauthorized downloads, as Safari doesn't seek user permission before downloading certain files.

Although Microsoft says that it has not yet seen any attempted attacks that use this exploit, it is warning that it would possible for a hacker to create a website that would automatically download and execute files on a user's desktop without the users permission.

Microsoft is advising users to "restrict use of Safari as a web browser until an appropriate update is available from Microsoft and/or Apple" in its threat advisory warning, although it also notes that the blended threat won't affect users who change the default location for where Safari downloads files to.

Apple was criticized earlier this year for pushing Safari to users as part of an update to Quicktime and iTunes.