15 Jun 2005
Microsoft issues critical security patches, Sophos advises customers
|
| Microsoft has issued a number of important
security updates. |
Microsoft issued a batch of ten security fixes for its customers
yesterday. The software company has rated three of the patches as
"critical" - its highest level of severity. The critical patches
address vulnerabilities in Windows and Internet Explorer that can
allow an unauthorised remote attacker to take control of a
computer.
"Users of Microsoft's software need to ensure that they are
quick to apply critical security patches," said Carole Theriault, security
consultant for Sophos. "Applying patches in a timely fashion can
help prevent PCs from being exploited by hackers and virus writers.
With an increasing number of threats designed to steal confidential
and sensitive information, no one wants to be caught with their
pants down."
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 companies protect their desktops
and servers with automatically updated
anti-virus protection.
About Sophos
More than 100 million users in 150 countries rely on Sophos as the best protection against complex threats and data loss. Sophos is committed to providing security and data protection solutions that are simple to manage, deploy and use and that deliver the industry's lowest total cost of ownership. Sophos offers award-winning encryption, endpoint security, web, email, and network access control solutions backed by SophosLabs - a global network of threat intelligence centers. With more than two decades of experience, Sophos is regarded as a leader in security and data protection by top analyst firms and has received many industry awards.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.