Posted on March 14, 2012
by Alex
(http://blogs NULL.technet NULL.com/cfs-file NULL.ashx/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-61-47/4645 NULL.fixit NULL.png) Every 2nd Tuesday, Microsoft releases various updates for all their software. The release is commonly known as “Patch Tuesday”. These updates include everything from feature/performance updates to security updates. Yesterday 3/13/12 was one of those days.
Microsoft released its latest batch of updates, including a security update that Microsoft in encouraging users to update immediately.
Note that CVE-2012-0002 was privately reported and we are not aware of any attacks in the wild. Additionally, the remote desktop protocol is disabled by default. However, due to the attractiveness of this vulnerability to attackers, we anticipate that an exploit for code execution will be developed in the next 30 days.
The reason behind the push is that once a patch is released, the bad guys can take it, figure out what the patch file changes and used that to create new ways to get into your system. I’ve heard many a customer say “I don’t know how I got infected, I didn’t do anything”, and that could very well be the case, but they still got in. The best example I can give you, the lock on your front door breaks, you need to fix it before a bad guys figure it out and get in your home and steals your stuff.
How do you run Windows update – Windows 7
1. Click “Start,” “All Program” “Windows Update.” Alternatively, you can click the “Start” orb and type Windows Update in the instant search box. Windows Update appears in the list for you to choose.
2. Click “Check for updates;” it is located on the left hand-side of the open window. Windows 7 begins checking for updates. They are categorized as important and optional.
3. Click the “Important Update” link and choose all that apply. Once you are finished choosing your important updates, click “OK.”
**You really should install everything on this list
4. Click the “Optional Update” link and choose all that apply. Once you are finished choosing your optional updates, click “OK.”
**You may see things that you can choose NOT to install (Like language packs for foreign languages)
5. Click “Install updates.” Windows 7 downloads your updates and installs them. A reboot of your computer maybe required once the update process is complete.
How do you run Windows update – Windows XP
(Its similar to how Windows Update happens in Windows 7)
1. Navigate to Windows Update by choosing “Start”, “All Programs”,”Windows Update”.
2. Click the Scan for Updates link.
This link appears on the Windows Update Web page that results from choosing Windows Update.
4. Click the Review and Install Updates link.
5. When the scan is complete, the Pick Updates to Install page appears.
6. Review the recommended and Optional updates.
**You really should install all updates in the recommended area. You can use the “Remove” button for any updates in the Optional area that you don’t want to install.
7. Click Install Now
8. You will see the progress window while you system updates. Once the updates complete, you may need to reboot the pc.
That’s it. If you do that Windows is now updated. Now remember that other software like Java, Flash, Adobe Reader (etc.), should also be updated on a regular basis.
**Blog post from Microsoft about the March 2012 patch Tuesday updates (LINK) http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/03/13/cve-2012-0002-a-closer-look-at-ms12-020-s-critical-issue.aspx (http://blogs NULL.technet NULL.com/b/srd/archive/2012/03/13/cve-2012-0002-a-closer-look-at-ms12-020-s-critical-issue NULL.aspx)
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