Judge Questions States’ Microsoft Request

The judge overseeing the Microsoft Corp. antitrust case said she had concerns about a request by nine states that she name a court officer to resolve future disputes over the software maker’s business practices.

The plan would let business rivals go to a so-called special master to complain that Microsoft is not abiding by court- ordered restrictions. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar- Kotelly said complaints should first go to the government antitrust enforcers that brought the lawsuit she is reviewing.

Separately, Microsoft warned that its Internet Explorer software contains six flaws, some of which could give hackers access to--and even potentially change--personal information about computer users.

The company advised users of Explorer versions 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0 to download a patch for the software from the Microsoft Web site at www.microsoft.com /security.

Microsoft shares rose 29 cents to $56.03 on Nasdaq.