Microsoft has released automated workarounds designed to immunize users against a critical vulnerability in earlier versions of Internet Explorer, which criminals are already exploiting online.

The “Fix It” updates were released over the weekend for people who still use IE versions 6 and 7. The fixes are by no means foolproof. One of them disables the so-called peer factory functionality the browser may need to carry out certain tasks, such as printing. The other turns on a measure known as DEP, or data execution prevention, on more recent operating systems.

The releases are meant to serve as temporary fixes until an update is offered that patches the hole. Microsoft disclosed the vulnerability last week and warned that crooks are already using it to remotely execute malicious code on customers’ computers.

According to AppleInsider, Apple will finally be bringing a “full-on solution” to multi-tasking with iPhone OS 4.0 which is set to debut this summer. Presumably that means that third-party apps will finally be allowed to run in the background on the phone. The sources were scant on details about how it would remedy performance, battery life, and security issues, but they did say that the multi-tasking would use an interface similar to that in the Mac versions of OS X.