Pending sales up

Pending sales up

COLUMBUS

The number of single-family homes and condominiums put under agreement in March increased slightly from the level during the month a year ago and rose sharply from last month, the Ohio Association of Realtors announced Monday.

A pending sale, or a sale “under agreement,” means the buyer and seller agree on terms of the sale of a home and have a signed purchase and sale agreement but have yet to close on the deal.

Ohio’s March Pending Home Sales Index of 134.1, a forward-looking indicator, rose 0.8 percent from March 2013 and 21.6 percent from last month, a sign the improved weather is fueling contract signings, the group said.

Microsoft warns of security gap in Internet Explorer

REDMOND, Wash.

Microsoft says a security gap in Internet Explorer could allow an attacker to take complete control of a computer if the user clicks on a malicious link.

The vulnerability affects versions 6 through 11 of the Web browser.

Microsoft Corp. said Saturday that it was aware of “limited, targeted attacks” that tried to exploit the security gap. The company is working on a fix that it plans to provide in a software update May 13.

In the meantime, Microsoft encourages customers to enable a firewall, apply all software updates and install anti-malware software.

A division of the Homeland Security Department recommends that users download a security toolkit from Microsoft or use another browser until an update becomes available.

Vindicator staff/wire reports