Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Microsoft Security Updates for August, 2013


Microsoft released eight (8) bulletins.  Three of the bulletins are identified as Critical with the remaining five bulletins rated Important.

The bulletins address 23 vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer and Exchange. The updates will require a restart.



Bulletin ID
Bulletin Title
KB No.
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 
2862772
Vulnerability in Unicode Scripts Processor Could Allow Remote Code Execution
2850869
Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server Could Allow Remote Code Execution
2876063
Vulnerability in Remote Procedure Call Could Allow Elevation of Privilege
2849470
Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege
2859537
Vulnerability in Windows NAT Driver Could Allow Denial of Service
2849568
Vulnerability in ICMPv6 could allow Denial of Service
2868623
Vulnerability in Active Directory Federation Services Could Allow Information Disclosure  
2873872



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:

References




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


2 comments:

Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio said...

I am quite sad over Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows XP. I don't know yet what I will do. It costs so much to buy a new computer. Everything now is wireless and I don't have a 'wireless' anything with my computer. I have a desktop Dell Inspiron 530 from 2008 and I'm told it can't even be upgraded to Windows 7. I may just look into an Apple product.

Corrine said...

Hi, Linda Jean.

It isn't only technology that has changed since Windows XP was released to manufacture (RTM) in 2001, hardware has also changed significantly.

Consider, please, that hardware wears out, with the average life span of a desktop computer generally not much more than five years. Based on this review of the Dell Inspiron 530, it appears that you have been fortunate that yours has held up well.

Back to technology changes, Microsoft already extended support for Windows XP and is now supporting Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Since each OS is different, security updates are not identical code for each. This requires an incredible amount of testing.

With support ending, that doesn't mean your computer will stop working, rather that there will not be any additional security updates. This means that any vulnerabilities will not be patched and your computer will be vulnerable to infection. Consider also that antivirus vendors will soon follow in discontinuing definition updates for Windows XP.

As to your thoughts of considering an Apple product, that is certainly your choice. However, when you compare prices, you may decide differently.

Regarding wireless, if you do not have a wireless modem, you can still connect a laptop or desktop with an ethernet connection.