SP2 Released for Microsoft Office 2010

 Microsoft Office 2010 SP2 has been released with unreleased fixes that include improvements in stability, performance, and security.

The Service Pack additionally includes all the public updates that were released through May 2013 as well as all the cumulative updates that were released through April 2013.  Also included are updates for Microsoft Project 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010, and Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2010.

Office 2010 SP2 Improvements

From Microsoft KB Article 2687455, following is an overview of the improvements in SP2:

Excel 2010 SP2

• Improves the overall stability, performance, and compatibility with other versions of Excel. For a more detailed list of specific issues that the service pack fixes, please download a version of the workbook that is available below.
• Fixes issues in which the performance of Excel decreases, and Excel file sizes become larger when additional built-in styles are copied during the duplication of data between different Excel instances.
• Fixes an issue in which data validation lists that contain comma signs (,) are broken in an .xlsx or .xlsb file. This issue occurs when you set the user locale to a location that does not use comma signs (,) to separate the lists. For example, Germany uses semicolons (;) to separate the lists. When you set Germany as the location, data validation lists that contain commas are all broken.
• Fixes an issue in which an .xlsx file created in Microsoft Office 2013 that contains an App bound to a table is corrupted on save. Additionally, it addresses the issue in which all Agave formulas in the workbook sheet are removed from the file.

Outlook 2010 SP2

• Fixes the issue regarding the message size of certain long email messages. Additionally, it fixes an issue that occurs when you perform a spell check before you send an email message.

PowerPoint 2010 SP2

• Improves the quality of videos in a presentation after the videos are optimized or compressed by PowerPoint.
• Fixes issues that occur when you co-author a presentation with other users at the same time.
• Fixes an issue in which Mozilla FireFox crashes when you try to view a presentation in PowerPoint Web App on a Mac computer that has Microsoft Silverlight 3 or Silverlight 4 installed.

Word 2010 SP2

• Fixes issues regarding bookmarks, fields, track changes, templates, tables, object wrapping, autocorrect options, and email addresses. Additionally, it fixes general reliability issues that occur when you post a blog entry on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 and Microsoft Office 365 blogs.

Update

It is recommended that you close all programs when installing the update.  It is also best to use a wired connection rather than wi-fi when downloading a service pack.

If you don't have automatic updates, you can download the Service Pack from the Microsoft Download Center.

• 32-Bit Version:  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39667
  
• 64-Bit Version:  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39647

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

WinPatrol 28.5.2013.0 Released

WinPatrol 28.5.2013.0 was released to add several enhancements as well as to include fixes to version 28.

Enhancements:

• Enhanced removal of unwanted toolbars.
• Moved Repair and Reset Tools from PLUS to Options tab//screen.
• Improvements to Community Shield based on other WinPatrol users.
• A number of changes have been made in order to enhance support of 64-bit operating systems.

Fixes:

• Fixed dialog used to select current user or all users when launching a program. 
• Fix to Delayed Start programs that don't properly launch 

WinPatrol runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, including x64 versions, and can be installed directly over your current WinPatrol.  There is no need to remove your previous version or reactivate WinPatrol PLUS.

Download WinPatrol 28.5.2013.0

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Adobe Flash Player Critical Security Update

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player for Windows, Macintosh and Linux.  These updates address vulnerabilities that could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.

With today's Windows Update, Internet Explorer 10 and 11 in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Preview are also updated.  Windows RT must obtain the update from Windows Update.

Update Information

The newest versions are as follows:

Windows and Macintosh:  11.8.800.94
Linux: 11.2.202.297
Android 4x: 11.1.115.69
Android 3x:  11.1.111.64

Adobe AIR:  3.8

Release date: July 9, 2013
Vulnerability identifier: APSB13-17

CVE number: CVE-2013-3344, CVE-2013-3345, CVE-2013-3347
Platform: All Platforms

Flash Player Update Instructions

Warning:  Although Adobe suggests downloading the update from the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, that link includes a pre-checked option to install Google Drive.

It is recommended that you either use the auto-update mechanism within the product when prompted, or my preference, the direct download links.

• Non-IE (Opera, Firefox, Etc.):  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_11_plugin.exe
   
• Windows XP, Vista and 7:
  Flash Player For Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9, 10:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_11_active_x.exe
  
  Windows 8 and 8.1:
  Flash Player for Internet Explorer 10 and 11: Microsoft updated Security Advisory 2755801.  If you do not have Automatic Updates enabled, the Flash Player update can be downloaded from Microsoft Security Advisory: Update for Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer 10: July 9, 2013.
  
  
• Flash Player Uninstaller:  http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe

Notes:

• If you use the Adobe Flash Player Download Center, be careful to uncheck any optional downloads that you do not want.  Any pre-checked option is not needed for the Flash Player update.
• Uncheck any toolbar offered with Adobe products if not wanted.
• If you use alternate browsers, it is necessary to install the update for both Internet Explorer as well as the update for alternate browsers.
• The separate 32-bit and 64-bit uninstallers have been replaced with a single uninstaller.

Adobe Flash Player for Android

The latest version for Adobe Flash Player for Android is available by downloading it from the Android Marketplace by browsing to it on a mobile phone.   

Verify Installation

To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number installed on your computer, go to the About Flash Player page, or right-click on content running in Flash Player and select "About Adobe Flash Player" from the menu. 

Do this for each browser installed on your computer.

To verify the version of Adobe Flash Player for Android, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Adobe Flash Player x.x.

References

• Adobe Priority Ratings
• Adobe Security Advisory: Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player
• AIR Download Center
• PSIRT Blog: Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player (APSB13-16)
• Release Notes:  Flash Player® 11.8 AIR® 3.8

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Microsoft Security Updates for July 2013

Microsoft released seven (7) bulletins.  Six of the bulletins are identified as Critical with one bulletin rated Important.

The bulletins address 34 vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, .NET Framework, Silverlight, GDI+ and Windows Defender.

The updates to IE and Windows require a restart.  In addition, with .NET Framework included in the updates, users who have had problems with .NET Framework in the past are reminded to install MS13-052 separately with a shutdown/restart between other updates.

New Security Policy for Store Apps

Microsoft announced a new security policy for apps available through the Windows Store, Windows Phone Store, Office Store, and Azure Marketplace.  Effective immediately, developers are required to submit an updated app within 180 days of being notified of a Critical or Important security vulnerability.

In the event you discover a vulnerability in a store application and have no success working with the developer, contact secure@microsoft.com for assistance.

Bulletin ID	Bulletin Title
MS13-052	Vulnerabilities in .NET Framework and Silverlight Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2861561).
MS13-053	Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2850851).
MS13-054	Vulnerability in GDI+ Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2848295)
MS13-055	Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (2846071)
MS13-056	Vulnerability in Microsoft DirectShow Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2845187)
MS13-057	Vulnerability in Windows Media Format Runtime Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2847883)
MS13-058	Vulnerability in Windows Defender Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2847927)

Users of Windows XP are reminded that support ends for Windows XP on April 8, 2014.  See Tim Rains article, The Countdown Begins: Support for Windows XP Ends on April 8, 2014.

Support

The following additional information is provided in the Security Bulletin:

• The affected software listed have been tested to determine which versions are affected. Other versions are past their support life cycle. To determine the support life cycle for your software version, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
• Security solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and Support
• Help protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware: Virus Solution and Security Center
• Local support according to your country: International Support

References

• MSRC: A new policy for store apps and the July 2013 security updates
• TechNet: Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2013
• Security and Safety Center:  Microsoft security updates for July 2013 
• Microsoft Security: Microsoft Announces New Security Policy for Windows Apps

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Security Bulletin Advance Notice for July 2013

On Tuesday, July 9, 2013, Microsoft is planning to release seven (7) bulletins.  Six of the bulletins are identified as Critical with one bulletin rated Important.

The critical bulletis will address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, .NET Framework, Silverlight, Internet Explorer and GDI+. The bulletin rated Important will address issues in Microsoft Security software.

With .NET Framework included in the updates, users who have had problems with .NET Framework in the past are reminded to install this update separately with a shutdown/restart between other updates.

Microsoft is also planning on addressing CVE-2013-3660, a publicly known issue in the Kernel-Mode Drivers component of Windows in the updates.

As happens each month, Microsoft will also release an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services, and the Download Center.

References

• MSRC Blog:  Advance Notification Service for July 2013 Security Bulletin Release
• TechNet: Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for July 2013

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...