Hi, Folks!
It’s Patch Tuesday! I’m happy to report that many vendors are now treating Patch Tuesday as sacrosanct, releasing their updates to coincide with the release cycles of the major players like Microsoft, Apple and Adobe. This is good news for everyone. There’s nothing worse than installing a bunch of security updates across a bunch of devices on Patch Tuesday only to have to do it all again a couple days later. Of course, it also means that this month we’ve got over a hundred updates.
Microsoft released 19 updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, DirectShow, Windows Media Format Runtime, Silverlight, Microsoft Office, .NET Framework, MSRT, and Windows Defender. This includes security updates. A reboot is required. IMPORTANT: You will likely need to install updates, reboot, and then return to Windows Update to install another remaining update (don’t forget to ‘check’)!
http://update.microsoft.com/
Apple released updates for OS X, RAW Compatibility and Java. This includes security updates. A reboot is required. Use the Apple Software Updater to get the most current versions.
Adobe Flash Player 11.8.800.94 is a security update. For Windows:
https://12pd.com/click?flash
https://12pd.com/click?flashie
For OS X:
https://12pd.com/click?flashmac
Adobe Shockwave 12.0.3.133 is a security update. It is my recommendation to remove Shockwave unless you absolutely require it. If, and only if, you require it, update below. If you do not require it, remove it.
https://12pd.com/click?shockwave
Java 7u25 is a security update. If you do not absolutely require it, remove it!
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
Don’t forget to check your mobile devices, too! Many of these updates may also apply to your tablet, phone or kindle – so check your device-appropriate App Store and install updates.
Trolling for the Public Good
I spent almost an hour on the 4th of July trolling a scammer from “Microsoft Tech Support” who claimed my computer told him I was infected. Read more about this experience here:
https://saferpc.info/2013/07/microsoft_technical_support_scam/
Bottom line: Just because someone with an accent calls you doesn’t mean you should give them access to your computer!
Important Notes
Everything above this section should be checked by everyone on every computer. Chances are good that close to every single computer you touch will be affected by those updates. This is not the case with the items below, though you should still check each line item below to see if it applies to software you have installed.
Please remember that while I list many different applications within these updates, most people should ONLY install updates for a program if they already have a previous version of that program installed.
It is essential to maintain all the applications you have installed on your computer, but often you can minimize the time investment and the potential for exploitation simply by uninstalling software you do not need.
Also note that using the applications own “check for updates” function, when available, will best preserve your current settings, and often avoid any crapware that might come with a fresh installer. Use this option if it’s available to you.
Finally, if you’re sick of doing this all yourself, let me! Call or email me any time, and we can set you up with subscription SaferPC updates which will be installed each month whenever necessary. Click, call or email for more details:
https://saferpc.info/updates/
209-565-12PD
shawn@12pointdesign.com
Driver Updates
If you’re using this hardware – these updates are for you.
HP Universal Print Driver 5.6.5.15717 adds support for newer hardware. This is not a security update.
http://www.hp.com/go/upd
nVidia 320.49 adds newer hardware support and improved performance. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?nvidia
WD SmartWare Software 2.1.0 corrects a stability error. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?wdsmartware
Browser Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Firefox 22.0 is a security update. Use Help, About to get the most current version.
Google Chrome 28.0.1500.71 is a security update. Use Menu, About to get the most current version.
HTTrack 3.47.21 is a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?httrack
Opera 15.00 is a major version upgrade which, among other things, replaces the rendering engine with the Chromium engine (the same as used in Google Chrome). This, automatic updates, and several other features are a major step forward for Opera – so if you’re using Opera – upgrade now. While this is not technically a security update, since the previous version will no longer be supported at any level, it’s strongly encouraged to upgrade immediately. Use Help, About to install the most current version – and you’ll probably need to run it several times since this feature was always kinda flaky.
SeaMonkey 2.19 is a security update. Use Help, About to get the most current version.
Email Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Thunderbird 17.0.7 is a security update. Use Menu, About to get the most current version.
NK2Edit 2.68 adds ‘like’ matching wth wildcard support. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/outlook_nk2_edit.html
OutlookAttachView 2.55 adds ‘like’ matching wth wildcard support. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/outlook_attachment.html
Internet Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
Trillian 5.3.16 fixes a number of bugs, including XMPP and IRC crashes, fixes for Twitter, connectivity issues with certain firewall setups, and a few enhancements to some commonly-requested features like the send button and service icons. This is not a security update.
http://trillian.im/
Skype 6.6.0.106 corrects issues with screen & file sharing, video messaging, crashes & hangs as well as other issues. This should be treated as a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?skype
BrowsingHistoryView 1.33 improves reliability. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/browsing_history_view.html
DownTester 1.30 adds an option to append to the automatic report instead of overwriting. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/download_speed_tester.html
FileZilla 3.7.1.1 is an installer and translation update. This is not a security update.
http://filezilla-project.org/
Google Drive 1.10.4769.0632 does not provide a changelog so should be treated as a security update.
https://drive.google.com/start
Google Earth 7.1.1.1871 corrects a handful of stability and reliability bugs. This is not a security update.
http://earth.google.com/index.html
uTorrent 3.3.1 Build 29812 corrects a bug with the installer shim. This is not a security update. Use Help, Check for Updates to get the most current version.
Bitmessage 0.3.4 corrects several bugs and improves modularity of the code base. This should be treated as a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?bitmessage
Codec Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to everyone.
ADVANCED 4.1.8 (formerly Win7 Codec Package) updates included codecs. To install the update, you must uninstall and reinstall the application. This is not a security update.
http://shark007.net/win7codecs.html
ADVANCED x64Components 4.1.8 (formerly x64 Components) updates included codecs. To install the update, you must uninstall and reinstall the application. This is not a security update.
http://shark007.net/win7codecs.html
Media Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
ImgBurn 2.5.8.0 corrects a number of bugs and adds several features. This is a security update.
http://imgburn.com/
MPC HC 1.6.8 updates included components, cprrects several bugs relating to audio, subtitles, capture and rendering. This is a security update.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mpc-hc/
Winamp 5.64 updates included components and fixes a number of bugs. This is a security update.
http://www.winamp.com/media-player/en
Game Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
Minecraft 1.6.2 & Minecraft Server 1.6.2 adds horses, donkeys, carpets, name tags and modifies the function of texture packs to add audio capability, and improves sprinting. This version also adds ctrl+click as a right-click alternative on Mac. This is not a security update.
http://www.minecraft.net/
Office Updates
One or more of these are likely to be of interest to most people.
Lightroom 4.4.1 improves artifact handling and RAW support. This is not a security update.
Win: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5600
Mac: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5599
Adobe Application Manager is an updated installation tool for Creative Cloud. Install this update only if you’re experiencing installation- or update-related errors.
https://creative.adobe.com/products/creative-cloud
Adobe Camera Raw 6.7.1 Update fixes an issue with Bridge crashing when browsing TIFF files and REMOVES COMPATIBILITY with Photoshop versions prior to CS5. This should be treated as a security update.
Win: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5603
Mac: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5602
Gimp 2.8.6 provides a number of fixes in saving, brushes, and other features. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?gimp
Notepad++ 6.4.2 corrects a handful of errors. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?npp
SketchUp 13.0.4124 does not provide a changelog, so should be treated as a security update.
http://www.sketchup.com/
Security Software Updates
One or more of these is likely to be of interest to most people.
Junkware Removal Tool 5.0.2 is a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?jrt
PassRec 2.15 updates included tools. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/password_recovery_tools.html
SmartSniff 2.06 fixes HTTP POST URLs display. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/smsniff.html
Stinger 11.0.0.397 adds new detections. This is a security update.
http://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/free-tools/stinger.aspx
Capture Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
SiteShoter 1.42 corrects a port-related URL bug. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/web_site_screenshot.html
VideoCacheView 2.50 adds partial IE10 support. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/video_cache_view.html
Converter Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
DVDFab 8.2.2.9 Qt updates decryption methods, fixes crashes and improves CUDA compatibility. This should be treated as a security update.
http://www.dvdfab.com/download.htm
DVDFab 9.0.4.7 corrects a dozen crash, freeze and other stability bugs. This should be treated as a security update.
http://www.dvdfab.com/download.htm
Utility Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
RoboForm 7.9.0 fixes support for Firefox 22, improves reliability in Chrome, Sync and other changes. This is a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?rfe
Goodsync 9.5.3.3 fixes issues with SkyDrive, Google Docs and DAV. This version also removes support for Amazon Cloud Drive (per Amazon’s request). This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?goodsync
TeamViewer 8.0.19617 simplifies installer, adds docking support, and other fixes. This should be treated as a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?teamviewer
Autoruns 11.62 doesn’t provide a recent changelog, so should be treated as a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
Process Explorer 15.31 doesn’t provide a recent changelog, so should be treated as a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
Strings 2.52 doesn’t provide a recent changelog, so should be treated as a security update.
http://sysinternals.com/
CCleaner 4.03.4151 adds support to restart automatically, and improves cleaning of several applications. This is not a security update.
https://12pd.com/click?ccleaner
CPU-Z Installer 1.65 adds newer hardware support. This is not a security update.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
GPU-Z 0.7.2 adds support for newer hardware and fixes a crash bug. This is not a security update.
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/
BlueScreenView 1.51 adds 64-bit support, and sorting by timestamp. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html
BulkFileChanger 1.25 adds environment variable parsing. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bulk_file_changer.html
DriverView 1.43 adds secondary sorting. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html
FolderChangesView 1.35 adds wildcard filtering for both inclusion and exclusion. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/folder_changes_view.html
MyEventViewer 2.00 adds additional viewing options including user-filtering. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/my_event_viewer.html
NetConnectChoose 1.01 adds font selection support. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/net_connect_choose.html
Password Security Scanner 1.19 adds Firefox 22 support. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/password_security_scanner.html
SearchMyFiles 2.40 adds vastly improved search, filtering and exclusion including expanded patterns and environment string support. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/search_my_files.html
WifiInfoView 1.25 adds BSS Type Summary mode. This is not a security update.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html
RapidEE 8.0 build 902 corrects a stability bug. This should be treated as a security update.
http://www.rapidee.com/en/download
Developer Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
TortoiseSVN 1.8.0 adds coloring in Blame, vastly improved merge capabilities, repo browsing, updated libraries and more. This is not a security update.
http://tortoisesvn.net/downloads
Virtual Machine Updates
These are unlikely to be of interest to most people.
VirtualBox 4.2.16-86992 adds a number of stability and reliability improvements, including improved performance with passthru devices. This is not a security update.
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Web Package Updates
These are likely to be of interest only to web developers.
Coldfusion 10.x and 9.x has a new security update available. You can get it through:
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-19.html
Adminer 3.7.1 corrects a dozen bugs, primarily indexing and UI improvements. This is not a security update.
http://www.adminer.org/en/
Dada Mail 6.4.3 corrects subscription quotas. This is not a security update.
http://dadamailproject.com/download/
MailEnable 7.09 is a security update.
http://www.mailenable.com/
Movable Type 5.2.7 corrects cosmetic and block tag bugs. This is not a security update.
http://www.movabletype.org/download.html
phpMyAdmin 4.0.4.1 is a security update.
http://www.phpmyadmin.net/home_page/news.php
SQLyog x86 11.2.0-2 adds connection memory support and corrects a memory exhaustion crash bug. This is not a security update.
http://code.google.com/p/sqlyog/
WordPress 3.5.2 is a security update.
http://wordpress.org/
Activate Update Services 1.0.6 is a versioning change only – no code is changed.
BuddyStream 3.0.4 updates Twitter API, cleans up SQL and fixes several other bugs. This is a security update.
Cloudflare Cache Purge 1.0.1 improves CSS. This is not a security update.
Contact Form 7 3.4.2 fixes several bugs, adds cache-breaking to JSON calls. This is not a security update.
Cookies For Comments 0.5.5 is a security update.
Developer 1.2.1 adds MP6 to recommended plugins. This is not a security update.
WP Geocode Filter 1.0.12 fixed a missing requirement. This should be treated as a security update.
WPtouch 1.9.7 fixes issues with Twitter sharing and comment posting. This is not a security update.
That’s all for now folks. Keep it clean out there. 😉
Regards,
Shawn K. Hall
https://SaferPC.info/
https://12PointDesign.com/