27. April 2010 by admin.

4/27/10

Last week McAfee released a buggy update that deleted a critical system file which caused computers to shut down.

McAfee recently sent out a press release saying that they will cover the repair bills for the machines effected:
For customers who have incurred costs to repair PCs as a result of the security update, McAfee will reimburse them for reasonable expenses, such as a visit by a tech support specialist (such as Networking Delaware).

Details of this program, including instructions on how to submit a reimbursement request, will be posted on McAfee’s Web site within a few days. Check back often.

The press release went on to say; “Additionally, because we value our loyal customers, home or home office users whose PCs were rendered inoperable or severely impaired as a result of the security update will receive a free two-year extension of their current McAfee subscription product at no charge” .

If you were effected by this, here are the steps you can take to get the machine back up and running:

Step 1 - Locate a local toll free support number for your country. A qualified technician will diagnose your computer’s current status and determine the fastest way to get you up and running again.

Step 2 - If the technician can’t get your system up and running over the phone, we’ll get you the software to get your system up and running again. We can get you the software in one of two methods. You can either download the software fix from a working PC, or we will express deliver a CD to you.

Posted in patch testing, Patches, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

18. April 2010 by admin.

A serious vulnerability exists in Java and Sun has known about this vulnerability since around April 9th. This exploit can occur because the Java Browser Plugin  is running “javaws.exe” without validating command-line parameters.  Last week, when confronted about the problem, Oracle said they did not consider this vulnerability to be of high enough priority to break their quarterly patch cycle.

A U.S.-based Web site, Songlyrices.com was compromised by attackers, and was redirecting visitors to a Russian server feeding the Java attack as well as other exploits.

Now that users have started reporting that they are being infected by the drive-by Java attacks, Oracle has changed its mind and issued a patch.  If you haven’t already patched this vulnerability you can download Java software at http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Posted in security, Drive-by Infection, Patches, Malware, Computers | No Comments »

10. April 2010 by admin.

The coming “Patch Tuesday on April 13th, 2010 features 11 important security and functional patches.

Here are the patches Microsoft says will be released:

Bulletin 1: Critical (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 2: Critical (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 3: Critical (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 4: Critical (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 5: Critical (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 6: Important (Elevation of Privilege) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 7: Important (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Windows
Bulletin 8: Important (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Office
Bulletin 9: Important (Denial of Service) – Affects Windows & Exchange
Bulletin 10: Important (Remote Code Execution) – Affects Office
Bulletin 11: Moderate (Spoofing) – Affects Windows

To learn more about these patches, visit the Microsoft Security Bulletin page.

Posted in security, patch testing, Patch Tuesday, Patches, Uncategorized | No Comments »