Security Threat to MS Windows

[bulliedbutbolshieboutit!]

:) Just caught the item about a security threat to Windows on C4 news last night - but it didn't say what you had to do to cure it. :unsure:

Being a non-tecchy kind of person I wasn't sure if I should be worried or not :unsure:

Is having Norton Firewall enough, or do I need to do anything else?

Mrs B :D

[bulliedbutbolshieboutit!]

:wow: That's really weird - my post has duplicated itself!

Could some kind person please get rid of one of them :lol: Thanks :D

[Eskander]

The important thing is to go to the Windows update web site and get all the latest security fixes. A firewall is useful and you should also use anti-virus software and keep it up to date.

You should also always be careful about what you download and be very suspicious of e-mails from people you don't know. best to just delet them NEVER open attachements sent with such e-mails.

Hope this helps

[bulliedbutbolshieboutit!]

Hi Eskander,

Thanks for your advice - I do have the anti-virus and firewall, but I've not updated the security fixes, so I'll do that. :D

I learned my lesson after opening a strange e-mail attachment a couple of years ago - got a virus that made a right mess of my computer! :(

Mrs B :D

[vanner]

It's basically to do with a 'Hole' in Windows, they've actually known about it
for several months now !!

There is a 'Patch' available at Microsoft, so it may be worthwhile updating
your version of Windows, as i'm not sure if a firewall or anti-virus will cope
with this !!

For the Technically minded:

Title:
Recent Windows Security Issues Reported By Microsoft

Synopsis:
Customers should run Windows Update as soon as possible.

Date & Time Of Announcement:
2004-02-11

Key Message:
We are providing this security alert to stress the importance of updating your version of Windows through the Microsoft Website as soon as possible to patch a number of security issues within the Windows Operating System. Additionally, we recommend that customers regularly run Windows Update on a regular basis to ensure that their Operating System is up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Click the link below to run Windows Update from the Microsoft Windows Update Website: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Background:
Microsoft has recently released two critical alerts regarding security issues that can potentially affect all computers using the Windows NT, 98, Millennium Edition (ME), 2000 and XP Operating Systems.

Without your knowledge, an attacker could potentially gain control of your computer by taking advantage of the security issues through malicious code. The issues could allow an attacker to delete files, search records, send Email messages or even use your Internet connection to attack another computer.

Resolution:
The good news is that Microsoft has released a series of patches for these security issues. Running Windows Update from the Microsoft Website will install all necessary security patches for your computer's Windows Operating System. This one-step solution is the recommended method of resolving these security issues.

For Your Information:
To access a technical description of these security issues which are addressed and repaired by Windows Update, click the links below.

ASN.1 Vulnerability Could Allow Code Execution (828028)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/...in/MS04-007.asp

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (832894)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/...in/MS04-004.asp

Vulnerability in the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) Could Allow Code Execution (830352)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/...in/MS04-006.asp

[bulliedbutbolshieboutit!]

Thanks for posting those useful links Vanner. :D

Am going to download them now!

Mrs B