While waiting for a patch, you can avoid using MS Internet Explorer and use Mozilla instead. Mail programs like Outlook or Eudora are dangerous as well. They use Internet Explorer to display HTML pages. Be extra careful since a spam message may redirect you to such a bad web page.

More importantly make sure you don't miss the next Microsoft security updates. With the holiday season approaching you should instruct your substitute system administrator about what to do with security updates. You may also want to keep workstations switched off while you are away and get an update on the current virus situation before you switch them back on when you come back.