Flaw Reportedly Found in Netscape Browser

A newly discovered flaw in Netscape Communications Corp.’s popular Internet browser software lets Web site operators read anything on a hard drive of a personal computer logged on to the site, CNNfn reported. The glitch was reported by Cabocomm, a Danish software company. CNNfn and PC magazine, running their own tests, also found the glitch. The test showed that Internet security “firewalls”--measures intended to protect confidential information on computer networks--offer no protection from the bug, CNNfn said. The channel also published the report on its Web site. The defect reportedly occurs in Netscape’s Navigator software. Netscape spokesman Mike Homer said the Mountain View-based company is trying to confirm the flaw’s existence and would try to fix any problem as soon as possible.