Windows Security Update for October, 2003

This feature article is just a quick note to let you know that Microsoft has released 4 critical updates and 1 "important" update on October 15, 2003.

Each critical exploit can allow a hacker to execute arbitrary code and gain access to your PC. Affected machines are those which are running Windows ME, NT, 2000, XP and 2003 Server (source: MS Bulletins MS03-041~44: October 15, 2003).

Yikes!

If you haven't already downloaded the patches via Windows Automatic Update or the Windows Update Web site, you can visit the Microsoft web site to learn more.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/20031015_windows.asp

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Automate Your Security Patches: Enable Windows Auto Update

If you haven't already enabled Windows Auto Update, I found an excellent web page which explains the procedure in detail, so that your PC will alert you as soon as a patch is released from Microsoft. From the uid.edu web site:

" Microsoft regularly issues patches or updates to solve security problems in their software. The critical updates are the ones you should be concerned about. If these are not applied, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Microsoft Service Packs are larger updates which upgrade and fix [a wide range of accumulated security issues].

The Windows Update feature built into Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP can check your PC against a common database of patches. [Once you visit the] Microsoft web site, your operating system is checked against critical updates and a suggested list [of updates are displayed] ... so that you may download and install [them]. You should do this periodically.

More recent versions of windows have an Automatic Update feature. This is available in Windows 2000, ME, and XP. If you turn on this feature, your PC will check for, download and install critical updates [silently while you use your computer]. This eliminates the need for you to periodically check for updates. "

For complete instruction (including pictures) for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP:

http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/it/Tips/winupdat1.htm