Computer hackers angered by Cisco's attempts to hide news of a flaw that could allow an attacker to take control of the Cisco Systems routers that direct traffic across much of the Internet are working hard to discover and map out the vulnerability reports Reuters.

The hackers apparently have no intention of hijacking e-commerce payments, reading private e-mail, or launching any of the other malicious attacks that could be possible by exploiting the flaw. They want to illustrate the need for Cisco customers to update their software to defend against such possibilities. Many Cisco customers have postponed the difficult process because it could require them to unplug entirely from the Internet.

Cisco's routers direct traffic across at least 60 percent of the Internet.

Security researcher Michael Lynn first described the flaw on Wednesday at the Black Hat conference over the objections of Cisco and his former employer, Internet Security Systems Inc.