Patch Tuesday 2010

[Traci]

Updates
-------
New versions of:
Mozilla Products
Java
Windows Patches
Office Patches

Summary:
--------
Number of MS security bulletins announced: 17
Number of MS security bulletins released: 17

Advice:
-------
Worst month for total number of patches ever. Some of the patches fix
security issues that have been exploited for weeks. I'd get them in
fairly quickly.

Patches currently ignored:
-------------------------
IE7 install (on XP)
IE8 install (on XP, Vista)
Windows Powershell
Windows Malicious Software Tool
Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions
Windows Genuine Advantage
Windows Search 4.0
Silverlight
Windows Live
Office Live
Windows Mail Junk Mail Filter
Outlook Junk Mail Filter
.NET 4.0 rubbish
Microsoft Security Essentials
But you have to decide for yourself which you are wanting to install.

Other updates and warnings:
---------------------------


1) Mozilla Products update. Latest versions:

Firefox -- 3.6.13
Thunderbird -- 3.1.7
Seamoney -- 2.0.11

2) java update

Normally, you should remove old versions of the JRE before installing
the new one. However, sometimes this is not advised in that other
programs (such as SAS 9.2) drop older versions of the JRE in without
any explanation. You probably don't want to remove those. But you
do probably want to remove older version 6s of java.

There are several changes you may wish to make after installing the
latest java runtime. All of the changes are made from the Java
Control Panel (Control Panel -> Java).

Turn off updates -- Update -> Uncheck "Check for Updates Automatically"
-> Never Check

Turn off JRE Auto Download -- Advanced -> JRE Auto Download -> Never Auto
Download

Turn off Java Quick Starter -- Advanced -> Miscellaneous -> Uncheck "Java Quick Starter"

ALERT: One of the Outlook 2007 patches has been a problem and is known for slowing down EVERYTHING….not just Office. So if you are running MS Office 2007, you might want to avoid this one for a few days. The Softies are supposedly fixing this one.

[Karen]

Thanks Traci - my first thought was "here we go again!"

Karen

[landorasue]

Traci, what do you mean by patches currenty ignored? Are those the ones you chose not to install? This stuff makes my mind swim.

[Traci]

Traci, what do you mean by patches currenty ignored? Are those the ones you chose not to install? This stuff makes my mind swim.

Yep, LanaSue.....those are the ones that I don't mess with. It won't hurt to install them. It won't hurt NOT to install them. The only problem with not installing these patches is that Windows will nag you to do it until you're ready to charaacter 0269.

[landorasue]

Thanks, Traci. Since I really don't understand much about updates, I just leave it on auto.

[Traci]

Thanks, Traci. Since I really don't understand much about updates, I just leave it on auto.

....and you should be fine, LanaSue. As long as your computer gets the security updates it needs, you're golden! Christmas8

[Grace]

Traci, thank you for the Patch Tuesday updates. I've already updated Firefox to 3.6.13. I appreciate your list of Patches that you currently ignored.

[Traci]

Any time, Grace. I have a tough time recommending that someone do something I myself would not. I try to stay on top of this stuff.....

[Ellen]

thanks Traci

windows update is driving me up the wall , not a day goes by without another reminder of updates. just get it right in the first place:mad:

[landorasue]

A short time ago, my email addresses were hacked again. I'm so upset. I don't understand why this keeps happening. It happened with I opened Outlook. I wonder if this was part of the problem you were speaking of. I'm sending you a PM, too.

[landorasue]

I am so annoyed. I went to the Windows Live Help Center to change my email password to see if that will help my hacker situation. My account won't allow me to change it. Looked in their forums. Seems quite a few people have had this problem once their email addresses have been hacked. Anyway, there is NO phone number I can find to get help to change my email password. I hate it when the only help is to sift through written solutions. I can never figure out what to do! HELP!

[Traci]

LanaSue...this is so frustrating! I think we got it hashed out over the phone, though. In partial answer....changing email PW's is a good security measure, but will not prevent someone else's computer from becoming a zombie and spreading your email address with a bogus message attached....which is what has probably happened in this case. As to why LanaSue is unable to change her Windows Live PW....I am not sure and am doing some research into the issue. :confused:

[Andrea]

Thanxs Tracie for the update....I do auto updates and (knock on wood) have never had a problem....:)

[landorasue]

Thank you, Traci. It would be nice if a person could actually talk with a Windows Live tech. But I never could find a phone number.

[Traci]

You're welcome, Andrea...and LanaSue...rotsa ruck! :D