The animated cursor vulnerability has been rated as critical by
Microsoft
Sophos, a world leader in IT security and control, has advised
computer users to install a critical security patch from Microsoft
which patches a vulnerability in the way Windows handles animated
cursors. The vulnerability, which has been exploited by in-the-wild
malware, caused Microsoft to release an emergency patch outside
of its normal cycle.
Normally Microsoft releases security patches on the second
Tuesday of this month, but released this fix early because of
concern that hackers were using the flaw in attempts to infect
innocent PC owners.
"Although Microsoft has now issued a patch against this critical
vulnerability, it is unlikely that we have seen the last of
hackers' attempts to exploit the security flaw," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant at Sophos. "It is essential that every
Windows computer is patched against this security hole, as
cybercrimals are hell-bent on using flaws like this to break into
as many computers as possible in their pursuit of hard cash."
Home users of Microsoft Windows can visit update.microsoft.com to have their systems scanned for
Microsoft security vulnerabilities.
Sophos suggests 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
protection against viruses, spyware, and spam.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.