Microsoft has released a security update for Internet Explorer that patches a security hole that allowed attackers to take complete control of a computer. It also issued the update to Windows XP users. The update will go live at 10 a.m. Pacific time Thursday.

Microsoft reported the problem Saturday, saying it was aware of "limited, targeted attacks" and that the vulnerability affected Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11.

The following post is from Adrienne Hall, General Manager, Trustworthy Computing, Microsoft.

One of the things that drove much of this coverage was that it coincided with the end of support for Windows XP. But even though Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, the company decided to provide an update for all versions of Windows XP (including embedded), today.

"We made this exception based on the proximity to the end of support for Windows XP. The reality is there have been a very small number of attacks based on this particular vulnerability and concerns were, frankly, overblown," said Adrienne Hall, general manager of Microsoft Trustworthy Computing.

Despite lacking security support, Windows XP remains the second most popular PC operating system, according to NetApplications.

XP is still the OS of choice for 26% of PCs, the stat-gathering firm says in its most recent update.