Computers take security hits

(Originally published by me at EastOfIndy.com)

In the last couple of months, major computer security holes (and exploits) have been uncovered.

Back in October, Microsoft broke it's usual pattern of only releasing security updates on the second Tuesday of the month by producing a patch two weeks early.

If a computer is unpatched, all it would take would be a visit to an infected webpage, or even a webpage with an infected ad (which often come from third-party servers), to compromise your computer. Once compromised, your computer would be vulnerable to someone else taking over your computer or even reading information from your computer. This effects Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista. It may effect older versions of Windows as well, but they are no longer supported by Microsoft, so patches will not be released for those systems.

Although the patch was released back in October, Microsoft estimates that nearly a third of Windows computers are still vulnerable. And there is an exploit that was released two weeks ago that has already infected an estimated nine million computers.

The way to ensure you are protected on a Windows system is to go to Start -> All Programs -> Windows Update and follow the prompts for an express install. Keep in mind, if there are any updates that need to be installed, you will probably have to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

However, Windows is not the only system to fall victim to a security hole.

Reports are coming out about a new vulnerability in Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard.

Specifically, this vulnerability effects a web browser called Safari that is released by Apple. This is the default web browser for Mac OSX. Safari is also available for free download for Windows computers, although it isn't widely used.

The vulnerability could allow someone else access to your computer and files without you realizing it.

Apple is aware of the problem, but has not yet released an official fix.

The only "workaround" for Windows computers right now is to use a different browser until Apple releases a fix.

All users of Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard are encouraged to perform the following steps to protect their computer, whether they use Safari as their web browser or not:

1. Download and install the RCDefaultApp preference pane from http://www.rubicode.com/Software/RCDefaultApp/ following the included instructions.
2. Open System Preferences and choose the Default Applications option.
3. Select the "URLs" tab in the window that appears.
4. Choose the "feed" URL type from the column on the left, and choose a different application or the "" option.
5. Repeat the previous step for the "feeds" and "feedsearch" URL types.

It appears that computers running older versions of Mac OSX may be unaffected.

In any case, everyone should make sure to keep up-to-date on security updates for your computer system. Yes, they are a pain, but they are critically important to keeping the "bad guys" out of your computer. After all, it should be your computer, not theirs.