“Windows users are being urged to download the latest security updates from Microsoft to fix critical flaws. The software giant has warned that three loopholes affecting Windows and Internet Explorer allow an attacker to take control of a personal computer,” BBC News reports.
“Seven other updates have also been released to address less serious problems in its software. Microsoft has been trying to improve the security of its software, releasing regular monthly security bulletins,” BBC News reports. “The most serious flaws affect Windows and Internet Explorer and could be exploited by a malicious hacker to take over a computer system. The other patches affect Windows, the Exchange server system, services for the Unix operating system, Microsoft’s Interactive Training software for Windows, and ISA server, a network firewall program.”
Vulnerable Software:
• Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Server 2003
• Internet Explorer
• Windows Web Client Service
• Exchange Server
• Outlook Express
• Windows Interactive Training
• Microsoft Agent
• Windows Telnet Client
• Microsoft ISA Server 2000
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Stockholm Syndrome really might be the only way left to explain it.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Mafiasoft? Microsoft to roll out anti-virus subscription protection racket – May 13, 2005
Microsoft Windows Sober.P worm shows ‘epidemic’ spread; Macintosh unaffected – May 03, 2005
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Mossberg: ‘consider dumping Windows altogether and switching to Apple’s Macintosh’ – April 18, 2005
New ‘highly critical’ Office flaw embarrasses Microsoft – April 13, 2005
Apple touts Mac OS X security advantages over Windows – April 13, 2005
97,467 Microsoft Windows viruses vs. zero for Apple Mac’s OS X – April 05, 2005
Symantec details flaws in its antivirus software – March 30, 2005
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Microsoft tries to turn its own security flaw into commercial gain – February 25, 2005
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Microsoft’s Gates espouses homogenous operating system environments for better security – February 07, 2005
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Wall Street Journal’s Mossberg on making the switch from Windows to Mac – September 18, 2003
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Shattering the Mac OS X ‘security through obscurity’ myth – August 28, 2003
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I don’t understand why Microsoft can’t be held accountable for making such crappy software. In what other industry could you make a product with so many problems and NOT end up in court explaining why your product doesn’t live up to the claims made about it in it’s advertisements?
Let face it, XP is an old operating system, not to mention Win98! how long before they can get the bleeding under control? Everyone has to fix bugs that arise, but Windows is all old code (with the exception of all the patches) and they still have loads of CRITICAL holes. In the 5 or 6 years Windows XP has been holding people back, you’d think MS would at least got that product all sewn up. As a company, MS’s quality track record is deplorable.
Ditching WinXP for Mac OSX was the best move I’ve every made, and in the three years I’ve been using OSX, it’s only got better!
Joe McConnell-
I actually see your point and it is valid.
But it is like telling people to floss, eat right and exercise…they know they should, but they don’t.
I service 4 states worth of PCs, and it will NOT happen, plain & simple.
Right wolf. So pc’s can be perfectly fine for some. Admitting that seems to be impossible for most here, which is ok, since it is a mac cheerleading forum. I have some different opinions about some of the issues herein since I started posting a couple years ago, but I remain neither an MS apologist or Stockholm Syndrome sufferer. Our pc’s have no more downtime than our (few) macs, cost a fraction of an equivalent mac would and have all the custom features we need.
I am happy that Steve Jobs has dedicated his life to supplying pricey computers that are somewhat lacking in software options so that people don’t have to go through the necessary pc BS to get them to work. I LOVE competition, and anyone who puts Steve on a pedestal without putting Bill on one is missing the whole darn point.
“Why put up with it you ask? For openers there are still many necessary programs that do not have Mac versions. ” – Joe McConnell.
Sad but true Joe. I’m a manufacturing engineer that must periodically meet with vendors that come in to demonstrate various pieces of assembly equipment. Some of that equipment makes use of software – naturally Windows only. When I see that, I stare the sales personnel straight in the eye and ask where the Mac-version of the software is and let them sweat it out for a bit. They usually retort back with something like the small number of Macs out in the field. My reply is that each and every vendor is in part responsible for eliminating the choice that we in the manufacturing industry need to accomplish our tasks in the manner we feel is the most efficient.
I point out the virus-rich “features” of Windows and how it frequently interferes with our operations and that the Mac is UNIX-based and currently has none. The bottom line I leave them with is that if they want my business, they better give me the options I require.
The summary of my diatribe is: The more people that goad vendors who provide software about the need for choice, the more they will get the point. Eventually some may display a modicum of intelligence and provide the choice.
I’ll get off my soapbox now. Hope this wasn’t too far off topic.
Dear Joe Mc
Ok I should have been consistent in my spelling of dyke or dike. Although both are correct (I actually checked the spelling in the Oxford dictionary which is a superior to digital spell checkers). Fair go though, it’s almost 2.00 A.M and I’m past my bedtime.
Why doesn’t MDN post headlines of Apple releasing quick fixes for its own security exploits? I know, its to maintain ignorance among the Mac zealotry crowd as if they don’t really exist.
Joe M-
In a somewhat related reply, I think in the long run that Macs DO have a great ROI (return on investment).
It is undeniable the zero virus standpoint…. I have never had to rebuild a Mac due to virus/spyware/etc… but I see my life slipping away with every PC we install. We now only supply PC users with a Wyse Winterm (thin client) and have them connect via Citrix..issue resolved.
I know I will be flamed for this by the MS fans, but the Mac users are smarter on the whole (outside of IT). I know this is a generalization, but it is generally true. They are more self reliant and ask nothing from IT.
“I know I will be flamed for this by the MS fans, but the Mac users are smarter on the whole (outside of IT). I know this is a generalization, but it is generally true. They are more self reliant and ask nothing from IT.”
This is also a generalization, but I highly doubt the number of desktop Mac users exceeds the sheer number of people populating the PC “enthusiast” market (yes, it is a genuine market that big names like Asus and Gigabyte cater to), people who like to pick and choose among the myriad of latest and greatest hardware choices and build their own boxes, overclock if they wish, and suffer none of the virii/spyware issue you mentioned because they just know how to assemble a properly configured machine.
I have 2 Macs and 2 PCs here. One PC used to be used by my girlfriend, and every couple of weeks or so I would have to clean that thing up from all the viruses, adware, spyware, etc that it accumulated. Last fall it got one that I could not get rid of, and checking PC forums, neither could anyone else. Had to reinstall Windows to get rid of it. But that was the last straw… I got her a G5 iMac, and she’s a happy camper now (so am I). My other PC I use cause I have ONE program in my work that I need and is only on a PC. Anyway, as of last fall I have not acquired a single virus, adware, spyware, or anything on either of those PCs, and I have not installed SP2 or any MS updates since then. How do I do this you ask? It’s easy. I disabled internet access for both of them (but both are part of my local net). No problems. One is seldom if ever used and the other is just used for 1 program. Windows works “good enough” in that environment.
Winchester Biggins sez: “I don’t know a single PC user who has not been forced to deal with periodic virus infestations….it is just considered normal procedure to have to send the computer into “the shop” every 6 months or so for “cleaning.””
We have macs and pcs in our house. We have 5 peecees ranging in age from 6 months to 4 years (2 laptops, 3 desktops). Never, repeat, never have any of the pcs been sent to the shop.
None of our pcs have had a “periodic virus infestations”.
All the pcs are using windows XP, all are networked, we have a dsl connection – all computers hooked up to the net. All access the net daily.
We used to get adware a bit, then we switched to Firefox as a browser and that, too, no longer occurs.
“Why doesn’t MDN post headlines of Apple releasing quick fixes for its own security exploits? I know, its to maintain ignorance among the Mac zealotry crowd as if they don’t really exist.”
They do. Check the archives, and you’ll find the security update released on 6/8.
Microsoft has a security release and the Macboys go bonkers and ballastic, guffawing about securtiy problems with XP.
Apple does the same thing and it is no problem to the macboys here.
The reason Apple is releasing security fixes is because they found out somebody has found some way via virus or whatever to get into a Mac!
Apple isn´t doing these security releases for no reason.
Apple releases security fixes before the problems found are exploited. Microsoft has to have the problems exploited before they know where they are and can start working on a fix.
Big difference.
“They do. Check the archives, and you’ll find the security update released on 6/8.”
Which MDN refers to as “security enhancements” in about two sentences LOL, with no mention whatsoever of the critical flaws the quick fix addressed. Compare that to this headline. Two faced, eh? How about MDN’s complete ignorance to these when these issues were first raised?
http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/42964.html
http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/43030.html
http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/05/12/tiger.qt.exploit/
http://www.anandtech.com/news/shownews.aspx?i=24208
Yeah, but Quaptro, the things the Mac security updates fix are NEVER on the same order of severity as those fixed by the Windows patches. The most severe holes fixed by Apple usually involve “privilege escalation”, i.e. if someone has ALREADY hacked into your Mac they could use the exploit to gain root access. By contrast, the worst Windows holes involve open doors through which remote attackers can take over your whole computer.
Nobody says Apple doesn’t issue “patches”. And if Apple started releasing Security Updates at the same rate Microsoft issues patches, and it was to fix the same kind of problems, believe me, there would be a great deal of alarm.
Sammy, you claimed MDN didn’t post such headlines at all. They do.
“Apple releases security fixes before the problems found are exploited. Microsoft has to have the problems exploited before they know where they are and can start working on a fix.
Big difference.”
And you’re completely wrong. Apple’s security fixes, just like Microsoft’s, are completely reactive. “Releasing security fixes before problems are found and exploited” is called QA, done before a release.
Why is this headline news????
I don’t expect anything different from Microsoft!
Move along people, nothing new to see here…
With all due respect to our apparent windows defenders, security is NOT the main reason to switch. It is the constant, and I do mean CONSTANT lack of quality as opposed to quantity of microscoff products and services. Occasionally, yes mac has security updates, but once in a while compared to almost once a week???? You do the math. If you want to have your cake and eat it too, get a mac with virtual pc.
any holes still LEFT?
MacDaddy, there can’t be any doubt that things will get better for mac version availability.
As a for instance, I recently demoed a financial order entry software. The mac version, 3.9 mbytes, the windows, 15.6. We ran both and the performance and features were identical. Nuff said about in which os that was originally written.
BTW, I’m an asshole and a Window Hoe! I give Bill BJ for free!!!
So do I!
Sammy you botox imposter:!!! “So do I!” what is that? I should have flunked you in high school grammar class!!!
yawn…..
next….