New Serious Windows vulnerability and fix
Oct 25, 2008 16:25:47 GMT -5
Post by RedRock on Oct 25, 2008 16:25:47 GMT -5
I got this from my Mac User Group:
Serious Microsoft Windows Vulnerability & Fix - Mac Users Be Aware
I know this is a Mac Users Group but since so many Mac Users run Windows now on their machines, this could impact us as well.
There's a particularly dangerous Microsoft Windows attack out in the wild called a Remote Procedure Call which can potentially infect a Windows machine with no user interaction.
Microsoft considered this threat so serious that it took the unusual step of releasing a patch to fix the vulnerability outside their normal patch release schedule. This is a highly critical vulnerability that affects all versions of Windows that means that your computer could become infected without you doing anything risky like browsing to infected web sites or opening email attachments.
To patch your computer, you simply need to run the Windows Software Update. This is probably scheduled to automatically run on your computer on a certain schedule, but because of the seriousness you want to run go ahead and run it manually. To do this go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center > Automatic Updates > and click the link at the very bottom that says "Windows Update Website." From there, click on the Express update button. You'll want to close down all open programs before doing this, and restart your computer afterwards.
While you're at the Automatic Updates website, you will want to make sure that automatic updates is turned on and set to run on a daily basis. If you don't already, make sure you have a reputable Anti-Virus software installed as well. I personally use AVG Free on my windows installations. You can download and install it for free here:
www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/20601
Mac users: If you run Windows on your Mac in any way, your Windows installation is at risk also. Apply this patch to the Windows portion of your Mac. (The Mac portion cannot be infected with this - another reason to consider switching.)
You can find more information and links to download the patches manually from Microsoft at the link below but taking the steps outlined above should protect you.
windowssecrets.com/comp/081024
I know this is a Mac Users Group but since so many Mac Users run Windows now on their machines, this could impact us as well.
There's a particularly dangerous Microsoft Windows attack out in the wild called a Remote Procedure Call which can potentially infect a Windows machine with no user interaction.
Microsoft considered this threat so serious that it took the unusual step of releasing a patch to fix the vulnerability outside their normal patch release schedule. This is a highly critical vulnerability that affects all versions of Windows that means that your computer could become infected without you doing anything risky like browsing to infected web sites or opening email attachments.
To patch your computer, you simply need to run the Windows Software Update. This is probably scheduled to automatically run on your computer on a certain schedule, but because of the seriousness you want to run go ahead and run it manually. To do this go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center > Automatic Updates > and click the link at the very bottom that says "Windows Update Website." From there, click on the Express update button. You'll want to close down all open programs before doing this, and restart your computer afterwards.
While you're at the Automatic Updates website, you will want to make sure that automatic updates is turned on and set to run on a daily basis. If you don't already, make sure you have a reputable Anti-Virus software installed as well. I personally use AVG Free on my windows installations. You can download and install it for free here:
www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/20601
Mac users: If you run Windows on your Mac in any way, your Windows installation is at risk also. Apply this patch to the Windows portion of your Mac. (The Mac portion cannot be infected with this - another reason to consider switching.)
You can find more information and links to download the patches manually from Microsoft at the link below but taking the steps outlined above should protect you.
windowssecrets.com/comp/081024
