After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating system, the software giant released a patch this past Friday to plug the possibly devastating "back door" which allows hackers to potentially seize control of any pc running Windows.
The latest threat, "Download.Ject," infiltrates computers after users surfing with Microsoft's "Internet Explorer" web browser visit websites infected with the virus.
This newest security patch covers Windows XP, 2000, and Windows Server 2003.
Several factors make this latest development more disturbing than past discoveries of security problems with Internet Explorer, currently the most dominant web browser on the market.
First, it demonstrates very clearly that criminals discovered they can use the power of viruses to very profitably steal important bank, personal, and credit data from people on a large scale.
Second, it took Microsoft what many would consider a very long time to come up with a patch for this problem.
Before a fix appeared, Microsoft told everyone who uses Internet Explorer to stick their finger in the dyke by putting their web browser security settings on high, rendering it impossible to view or use features on many websites and web-based services.
Third, expect this to happen again as new holes open in the future when Microsoft makes Windows more complicated, adds layers of code, and generally makes the operating system more complex.
This may sound like business as usual, however, I think this story actually points to a much deeper problem, one for which I'm not sure a simple solution exists.
Though free and reasonably reliable, many people do not automatically update their Windows operating system through the update service on Microsoft's website. (I won't even get into how many people don't operate up-to-date anti-virus protection.)
Whenever Microsoft publishes a security update, especially for a highly publicized and obviously widespread security breach, thousands of people will not immediately download the update.
In fact, tens-of-thousands of users will not download these security updates for days, weeks, even months (if ever).
So let me ask what seems like a very elementary question: By publishing security updates that point out very obvious flaws in their system, doesn't Microsoft also point the way to exactly where the holes exist?
Let me put it another way.
Doesn't this rate the same as discovering that the local bank vault won't lock and then announcing the details on the front page of the paper along with the dates and times no bank guard will be on duty?
After all, if tens-of-thousands of users won't immediately get the Microsoft Security Patch, don't those patches show hackers exactly which holes get plugged (and which, logically, must already be open without the patch)?
It doesn't take a hacker with more than a basic set of skills to recognize where and what holes got fixed and then reverse-engineer how they can get into computers that don't get updated.
Now, do I have a concrete, 100% bullet-proof answer to this problem? Unfortunately, I don't have more than a common- sense answer...
At this point, your best defense rates staying current on the latest threats and how to defend against them.
Keep your anti-virus software current, your firewall up, and your Windows software updated with the latest security patches.
Though not a perfect solution, at least you'll have a fighting chance to prevent, or at least minimize, any possible threats.
For more information from Microsoft's website, go here http://www.ebookfire.com/download-ject.html
About The Author
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links... http://www.ebookfire.com/download-ject.html
? Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.ebookfire.com/download-ject.html
cleaning team near Winnetka ..For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More
Microsoft Certifications are one of the most widely acclaimed, pursued,... Read More
You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC,... Read More
If you have a computer for home use or for... Read More
If you're like me, you occasionally find the ubiquitous mouse... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
When studying for your Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE exam,... Read More
You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0... Read More
I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
This is the third in a series of articles highlighting... Read More
Up until the recent past, those who wanted to take... Read More
iPod users start to get the picture and it's turning... Read More
"Aaaaaahhhhhh! I've been invaded by a virus!" Getting a virus... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
Having two operating systems is not as difficult as many... Read More
MP3 players are everywhere! It seems that the number of... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
No matter how fast your processor and regardless of how... Read More
Nothing is worse than having to negotiate all kinds of... Read More
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More
File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..When browsing the internet you are likely to come across... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification ExamYou've studied hard; you've... Read More
Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More
The registry is where the computer stores information about the... Read More
Occupational Therapy Made EasierMedical downloads for the pda have improved... Read More
Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More
I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More
What is a Refurbished Computer?Refurbished Computers. Remanufactured Computers. Reconditioned Computers.... Read More
As the web has evolved, so have the methods of... Read More
With the bewildering number of digital cameras on the market,... Read More
As the owner of a Country Mall and Top Site... Read More
Are you stymied by the vast offerings in cheap mp3... Read More
The basic language of the internet is html. If you... Read More
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to... Read More
Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More
Step 1:Open WinRAR and browse to the folder with your... Read More
Has This Ever Happened To You? OK.. it's Friday night,... Read More
Time is money. And when you constantly have to divide... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More
Want to save money while promoting your web-based business? Of... Read More
This tip is on sharing files and folders on a... Read More
Personal Technology |