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Posts tagged Windows
Microsoft FixIt Wizard for critical flaw in 100 applications
Sep 1st
Microsoft has released a software tool that helps system administrators protect PCs against a critical class of vulnerabilities found in more than 100 applications from a variety of software makers.
The FixIt Tool works only on machines that have already installed the workaround Microsoft published last week. The latest point-and-click release is designed to make the previous workaround easier to use and fine-tune a variety of settings that will ensure compatibility with applications such as Outlook 2002, members of the Microsoft Security Response Center said.
To apply the patch(s):
Visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2264107 - Download the update appropriate for your version of Windows. You will be required to reboot after installation. Apply Microsoft Fix it 50522 by selecting RUN when prompted. The FixIt will set the parameters added by the 2264107 for 100 apps while providing a safe setting for Outlook 2002 as outlined in the article.
Trojan preying on out-of-date Java installations
Aug 22nd
Sunbelt Blog | August 20, 2010
A piece by Marian Radu on Microsoft’s Technet Blog is warning that users who have failed to update the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on their machines are vulnerable to drive-by downloads by a Trojan called Unruy. That Trojan has been associated with rogue security products. Radu said the vulnerability (which was patched in March) is being actively exploited.
Browsers running JRE versions up to version 6 update 18 are vulnerable. The current JRE version today is version 6, update 21.
Users can easily check their version of Java and download necessary updates here: »www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/microsoft-drive-by-trojan-preying-on.html
Support is ending for some versions of Microsoft Windows
Feb 26th
- Support for Windows Vista without any service packs will end on April 13, 2010.
If you’re running Windows Vista without any service packs and you’re not ready to upgrade to Windows 7, you should install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), a free update.
Windows Vista SP2 includes support for new types of hardware and includes all of the updates that have been released since Windows Vista SP1.
Get Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista, it’s free! http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Learn-how-to-install-Windows-Vista-Service-Pack-2-SP2
- Support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) will end on July 13, 2010.
If you’re running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and you’re not ready to upgrade to Windows 7, you should install Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), a free update.
Windows XP SP3 includes all previously released updates and a small number of new updates. It won’t significantly change the Windows XP experience.
Get Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, it’s free! http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/learn-how-to-install-windows-xp-service-pack-3-sp3
How to prevent “Scareware” (Rogue Antivirus)
Jan 19th
Practically all my service calls the last two months have been due to Scareware related issues. Rogue anti-virus programs that claim every program is infected and that for some amount of money your computer can be secured. Unfortunately, the scareware program IS the infection and your money is sent immediately to some far off country while little if any relief is provided for your payment. It is a scam. And the worst part of it is you no longer have to be surfing the seedier side of the Internet to become a victim!
The authors are actually paying people to infect you, which means it is being included in blogs, forums, even websites you actually pay to use. Typically they rely on your trust of a website to open up the security of your web-browser, to drop your guard, to OK a download.
They operate primarily by using Javascript Code. Javascript is very common and the internet would be a horribly bland place without it, which makes it the perfect vehicle. Javascript are little snippets of code that are included in websites to generate dynamic content, like time stamps and the like. They allow a website to offload some of the heavy lifting and More >