Make sure those antivirus programs/defintions are up to date. *Update--Windows fix*

[Dan Murphy]

Windows PCs face 'huge' virus threat

 

[MsDisney23]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[always quiet]

Yikes! I just checked today to make sure my Windows update were current (all is ok!) and my virus scan is set to automatically download any updates. I think I'll just double check that they did update since the 2 weeks we were in WDW, the computer was never turned on.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Dan, by now I am sure you know how computer ignorant I am but to update the definitions all I do is run Panda and spybot and adaware right? Now that I am up and running it would kill me if I had to go back into forced shopping retirement.

 

[wvjules]

Thats all fine and dandy, Dan but the patch won't be out until Jan 10. Be sure to remind everyone then too, kay?

 

[Dan Murphy]

BB, if you are running Panda, it should be updating automatically, every day. Plus, since it has their 'TruPrevent Technology' http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/truprevent_tec.htm , many problems may be nailed down, even before the actual fixes are available. That is one reason I use the Panda anitivirus.

As for Ad-aware, if you have a pay-for version, it too updates as needed, and runs in the background. If the free version, you need to update and run. Spybot is only free, you need to update and run.

And always best is you are current, prevents many of the probelms we see so often here.

Dan, by now I am sure you know how computer ignorant I am but to update the definitions all I do is run Panda and spybot and adaware right? Now that I am up and running it would kill me if I had to go back into forced shopping retirement.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Panda keeps telling me I have a Windows XP Vulerability. But when I try to do the patch it just sits there. Twice now I have gotten the warning and it won't update.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Does anyone use Winfixer 2005? I have it on my pc and I think I installed it by accident. I am trying to get it off and it is not listed under add/remove programs.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Mom2Ashli, have you run Windows update?? http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Lisa, try running Ad-aware and Spybot.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Mom2Ashli, have you run Windows update?? http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Lisa, try running Ad-aware and Spybot.

That is what is so strange. I did the Windows update about a week ago. And Panda is making this sound like it is something that they are fixing on their own when you read their site.

Thanks Dan - I will give it another try.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I just ran the windows update and it found no updates for my computer.

I guess I just sit and wait until the warning comes back up from Panda and hope it works the next time.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[EthansMom]

DH wants to know if you think we should all change over to Linux?

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10726151/

http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-005A.html

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/01/05/wmfflaw/index.html


http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/bulletins/200601_WMF.mspx

 

[safetymom]

When you hear there is a new virus out it pays to check for updates several times in a day if you are online. I have mine set to automatically check but when there is something new out I check more often. You can't be too careful.

 

[always quiet]

I just noticed something on my windows update. I knew that there was this new "fix" out there so I headed over to the Windows Update site. It scanned my computer (I checked the 'express' option...it should give you the important updates). When it only listed SP2 as an update, it confused me. I knew there should be something else out there. I re-scanned, checking the "custom" option. I figured it would list unimportant, optional updates. It came back showing 8 SECURITY updates!! Seems to me like it should list those kind in the express option (and give me the choice to tell it to stop telling me to install SP2!! ) I'm waiting for the computer to finish installing the new updates...it really slows the system down.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I just noticed something on my windows update. I knew that there was this new "fix" out there so I headed over to the Windows Update site. It scanned my computer (I checked the 'express' option...it should give you the important updates). When it only listed SP2 as an update, it confused me. I knew there should be something else out there. I re-scanned, checking the "custom" option. I figured it would list unimportant, optional updates. It came back showing 8 SECURITY updates!! Seems to me like it should list those kind in the express option (and give me the choice to tell it to stop telling me to install SP2!! ) I'm waiting for the computer to finish installing the new updates...it really slows the system down.

I posted the other day that my Panada software said that I need to update Windows but when I went to Windows it told me I didn't have any updates. I also picked the express like you did. I guess when I get home I better re-scan and pick custom.

Thanks!

 

[jgmklmhem]

Does anyone use Winfixer 2005? I have it on my pc and I think I installed it by accident. I am trying to get it off and it is not listed under add/remove programs.

Winfixer in my opinion is a scam and a virus itself. I cannot find it anywhere on my computer using Panda, McAfee, or Ad-Aware. I have not ever had it downloaded but it keeps trying with pop-ups that tell me I have vunerabilities so download now....but when I try to "X" out of the pop-up it tries to download the program so I have to stop it quick. Any program that will not let you X out of it and when you do it starts to download anayways is a problem.

Any one else have any ideas how to stop this.

 

[safetymom]

Title: Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for January 2006
Issued: January 05, 2006
Version Number: 1.0
Bulletin: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=58471
********************************************************************

Summary:
========
This advisory contains information about all security updates released this month. It is broken down by security bulletin severity.

Critical Security Bulletins
===========================

MS06-001 - Vulnerability in Graphics Rendering Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution (912919)

- Affected Software:
- Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
- Windows XP Service Pack 1
- Windows XP Service Pack 2
- Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1
- Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
- Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems
- Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems

- Review the FAQ section of bulletin MS06-O1 for information
about these operating systems:
- Windows 98
- Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
- Windows Millennium Edition (ME)

- Impact: Remote Code Execution
- Version Number: 1.0

Update Availability:
===================
An update is available to address these issues.
For additional information, including Technical Details, Workarounds, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and Update Deployment Information please read the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for this month at: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=58471

Support:
========
Technical support is available from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PC SAFETY (1-866-727-2338). There is no charge for support calls associated with security updates.
International customers can get support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. Phone numbers for international support can be found
at: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Business and Developer Software ===============================================================
The Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy provides consistent and predictable guidelines for product support availability at the time that the product is released. Under this policy, Microsoft will offer a minimum of ten years of support. This includes five years of Mainstream Support and five years of Extended Support for Business and Developer products. Microsoft will continue to provide security update support, at a supported Service Pack level, for a minimum of ten years through the Extended support phase. For more information about the Microsoft Support Lifecycle, visit http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/ or contact your Technical Account Manager.

Additional Resources:
=====================
* Microsoft has created a free monthly e-mail newsletter containing
valuable information to help you protect your network. This
newsletter provides practical security tips, topical security
guidance, useful resources and links, pointers to helpful
community resources, and a forum for you to provide feedback
and ask security-related questions.
You can sign up for the newsletter at:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/secnews/default.mspx

* Microsoft has created a free e-mail notification service that
serves as a supplement to the Security Notification Service
(this e-mail). The Microsoft Security Notification Service:
Comprehensive Version. It provides timely notification of any
minor changes or revisions to previously released Microsoft
Security Bulletins and Security Advisories. This new service
provides notifications that are written for IT professionals and
contain technical information about the revisions to security
bulletins. To register visit the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx

* Join Microsoft's webcast for a live discussion of the technical
details of these security bulletins and steps you can take
to protect your environment. Details about the live webcast
can be found at:

www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/summary.mspx

The on-demand version of the webcast will be available 24 hours
after the live webcast at:

www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/summary.mspx

* Protect your PC: Microsoft has provided information on how you
can help protect your PC at the following locations:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

If you receive an e-mail that claims to be distributing a
Microsoft security update, it is a hoax that may be distributing a
virus. Microsoft does not distribute security updates through
e-mail. You can learn more about Microsoft's software distribution
policies here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/policy/swdist.mspx

Acknowledgments:
================
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to protect
customers:

* Dan Hubbard of WebSense (http://websense.com/global/en/)
for working with us on MS06-01.