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Filed under: Business, Developer, OS Updates, Microsoft

Security updates coming for Microsoft

Security updates coming for MicrosoftMicrosoft is getting together security updates for Windows 2000. There are five security bulletins that are set for release on September 11th 2007 that will update a version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and in the Download Center.

Of the five updates deemed an "important update" for users, only one has been considered critical. These fix bugs that could exploit flaws without any user interaction. The other non critical updates have to do with fixing remote code execution and elevation of privileges on in such applications as Windows Live Messenger and Windows SharePoint Server.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

SANS reports Windows 2000, 2003, XP Daylight Savings Time issues

Internet security watchdogs at the SANS Institute Internet Storm Center are reporting two unrelated issues with the DST changeover on Windows platforms.

The first issue incolves isolated problems where clocks display incorrect times despite being patched for the new US Daylight Savings Time rules. Apparently the problem affects certain systems that were patched using directions from Microsoft the TZEdit.exe application or manual edits to the Registry. A patch is available from Microsoft here.

The second involves certain applications that rely on the TZ environment variable. a patch for that is available here.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Microsoft releases Vista upgrade chart, reason surrenders

Microsoft Vista upgrade matrix
Microsoft has unveiled a Vista upgrade matrix, detailing which present versions of Windows are eligible for upgrading to one of the four relevant versions of Vista (Starter and Enterprise are targeted for specific markets and therefore not included in this matrix). To make matters a bit complicated, however, some editions (such as XP Pro or Win2K) are only eligible to upgrade to a "corresponding or better" version of Vista, i.e. - Business or Ultimate. As icing on the cake, some ugprades will require a fresh wipe and install, while others can be upgraded 'in-place', retaining your applications and settings.

To be clear, however: all present versions of Windows listed in this chart are eligible to purchase upgrade editions of Windows Vista. Previous versions, such as Win98 and ME, will have to purchase a full edition of Vista.

Filed under: Security, Windows, Microsoft

Slashdot interviews Microsoft's VP of Security

MicrosoftSlashdot's interviews are always most interesting when they're with unexpected subjects, like Mike Nash, Microsoft's VP of Security, and the guy at whom about half of Slashdot's endless parade of anti-Microsoft jokes are indirectly aimed. It's a decent interview, and Nash's answers are fairly canded and relatively free of PR-speak. He retreads the same ground a couple of times, though, and the essence of his message is: Microsoft is really serious about security now, and Windows Vista is going to be super. The most interesting question is #9, in which an anonymous Microsoft employee goes on record to say that the company's security processes really consist of disinterested developers going through the motions and catching perhaps only 10% of security issues. Unfortunately, Nash chooses to pretty much dodge this question, which could be as telling as any actual answer he might've given. However, his answers concerning spyware and adminstrator privileges in Vista are fairly interesting.

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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