QUOTE
Microsoft warns of Windows flaws
One flaw could allow attackers to take complete control of a computer; Microsoft issues patch fix.
August 9, 2005: 4:50 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. warned users of its Windows operating system Tuesday of three newly found "critical" security flaws in its software, including one that could allow attackers to take complete control of a computer.
The world's largest software maker issued patches to fix the problems as part of its monthly security bulletin. The problems affect the Windows operating system and Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser.
Computer-security experts urged users to download and install the patches, which are available at www.microsoft.com/security.
"Users (should) apply the updates as quickly as possible," said Oliver Friedrichs, senior manager of Symantec Security Response, part of security software company Symantec Corp.
Microsoft said that vulnerabilities exist in its Internet Explorer Web browser, the most severe of which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected computer.
An attacker could exploit that vulnerability by luring users to malicious Web pages and running software code on the user's PC resulting in a takeover.
Microsoft also issued another security warning, which it rated at its second-highest level as "important."
For more than three years, Microsoft has worked to improve the security and reliability of its software as more and more malicious software targets weaknesses in Windows and other Microsoft software.
More than 90 percent of the world's personal computers run on the Windows operating system.
One flaw could allow attackers to take complete control of a computer; Microsoft issues patch fix.
August 9, 2005: 4:50 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. warned users of its Windows operating system Tuesday of three newly found "critical" security flaws in its software, including one that could allow attackers to take complete control of a computer.
The world's largest software maker issued patches to fix the problems as part of its monthly security bulletin. The problems affect the Windows operating system and Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser.
Computer-security experts urged users to download and install the patches, which are available at www.microsoft.com/security.
"Users (should) apply the updates as quickly as possible," said Oliver Friedrichs, senior manager of Symantec Security Response, part of security software company Symantec Corp.
Microsoft said that vulnerabilities exist in its Internet Explorer Web browser, the most severe of which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected computer.
An attacker could exploit that vulnerability by luring users to malicious Web pages and running software code on the user's PC resulting in a takeover.
Microsoft also issued another security warning, which it rated at its second-highest level as "important."
For more than three years, Microsoft has worked to improve the security and reliability of its software as more and more malicious software targets weaknesses in Windows and other Microsoft software.
More than 90 percent of the world's personal computers run on the Windows operating system.
