Wednesday, June 15, 2005

New Windows XP Fixes Released

If you are a Windows XP user, be on the lookout in the next couple of days for a new set of ten fixes designed to fix security flaws in both the operating system and Internet Explorer. Three of the ten patches are listed as "critical" by Microsoft. These fix flaws that could allow a malicious attacker to take remote control of a computer.

One fix deals with vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer, while the others tackle problems with HTML Help and Server Message Block in the Windows operating system.

The other security bulletins included four rated "moderate" that affect Windows and the Exchange e-mail server. Three "important" alerts address problems in Windows, Windows Services for Unix, Internet Security and Acceleration Server and Small Business Server.

Microsoft's rating system deems a security issue as critical, its highest ranking, if it could enable a worm to spread without any action from the PC user. Important flaws are those that could compromise people's data or threaten system resources, while the risk from moderate security holes can be restricted by measures such as configuring the default.

Unless you have set your Windows XP system to update automatically, look for an icon to appear in the lower right hand corner of you task bar that informs you that critical Microsoft updates are ready for downloading.

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