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| Microsoft has described some of the
vulnerabilities as critical |
Experts at Sophos have urged companies and home users to act
quickly as Microsoft has released information about 22 new flaws
which affect the software giant's products. Most of the advisories
are labelled "critical", Microsoft's highest severity level, and
could leave the popular Internet Explorer web browser open to
attack.
"All companies using Microsoft software need to get into the
habit of regularly applying security patches, or they will be
leaving themselves open to attack," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant for Sophos. "In the past we have seen worms
appear exploiting Microsoft security holes within a couple of weeks
of Microsoft's announcement. Smarter businesses will be putting
protection in place now rather than waiting to see if an attack
occurs."
Microsoft has posted details of the vulnerabilities and made
available updates which are reported to fix the issue on its
website.
"Home users are particularly open to attack, because they have
often not downloaded the latest security patches from Microsoft,
and may not be running a personal firewall," continued Cluley. "All
computer users should ensure their systems are properly
protected."
Home users of Microsoft Windows can visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com to have their
systems scanned for critical Microsoft security
vulnerabilities.
Sophos recommends that every IT manager responsible for security
should consider subscribing to vulnerability mailing lists such as
that operated by Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx.
Sophos continues to recommend computer users practise safe computing as well as running
up-to-date anti-virus software.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.