Hey folks!

Patch Tuesday has come again, including anywhere from six to twenty updates for Windows, Internet Explorer (8!), and MS Office. If you haven’t installed these updates already, do so now!:
  http://update.microsoft.com/
Please be sure to install all the necessary “optional” updates, which can only be included if you select “Custom” when the page initially loads. The “software, optional” update includes an important Root Certificate update that can help ensure that you’re contacting the correct secure websites within your browsers.

The critical update to correct a serious vulnerability in several Adobe products was released last month, but most people I’ve talked to “offline” didn’t even know they had Adobe Reader installed. Several of them turned out having variants of several viruses that were taking advantage of their ignorance and complacency. To be sure, if you don’t know – you *do* have Adobe Reader on your computer, and probably a variety of other Adobe programs as well. You *do* need to install this update – and do it NOW. Open Adobe Reader (usually “Start, (All) Programs, Adobe Reader”), then open the “Help” menu and select “Check for Updates” – finally selecting to install any and all updates offered when it’s done checking.

If you HAVE NOT installed updates in the last month for Adobe Reader, there ARE updates for you again. These updates are the ONLY thing preventing certain malware from infecting your computer, so it is truly imperative that you install them now. Antivirus software can NOT prevent you from becoming infected by these viruses, which are often loaded on completely innocent websites through advertisements or through their own compromised accounts. With well over 1.5 million sites currently hosting these exploits, it’s not a far stretch to imagine that you might become infected if you carelessly browse the internet without patching your computer.

Apple has released important security patches for Quicktime and iTunes. These are critical updates, and correct several remotely exploitable vulnerabilities. It is very important that you install these updates if you use Windows OR MacOSX and have Quicktime or iTunes installed. You can install it by using the Apple Updater:
  Start > [All Programs/Programs] > Apple Software Update
In the window that opens select only the components in the top half of the window. Do not install iTunes now if you do not already have it installed. Likewise, don’t install Bonjour or Safari if they appear in the bottom half of the window – if you don’t have it already, you probably don’t need it. Alternatively, you can download the installer here:
  http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
If you do not have iTunes installed, select the first option from the list (under “Download the free player”) captioned “Quicktime 7.6.2” (not the one “with iTunes”), uncheck the two boxes below “Sign-up”, then click the “free download now” option WITHOUT entering your email address.

This week Apple has also released security, stability and performance updates for Mac OSX, including administrative tools, Safari, iMovie, iLife, iWork, iPhoto, iDVD, Airport, and other updates. Use the system updater, or visit (and don’t forget to use the “next page” link at the bottom – this weeks updates span two pages):
  http://support.apple.com/downloads/

For you web people that have not yet taken the intelligent move to switch to *any* other forum system, phpBB released yet another security patch this week. While I personally recommend you switch to anything else – even carrier pigeons are probably better – if you’re tied to phpBB, get the update here:
  http://www.phpbb.com/downloads/

That’s all for now folks. Keep it clean out there. 😉

Regards,

Shawn K. Hall
https://SaferPC.info/
https://12PointDesign.com/