It’s patch time again from Microsoft.

I’m not delusional–I  know that the majority of the public runs Microsoft Windows.These updates are necessary and over the past several years Microsoft has made installing them so easy, that if you set your computer up with the auto-Update turned on you’ll get them and they install without any user intervention.  The only trouble I’ve seen is when you are working on a file and leave it open overnight you might find your computer has rebooted when you come in the next morning to the login screen when you expected it to be locked ( you do lock your machine at night, Right?)

So what is broken now and why do I need these Patches?

There are a few potentially dangaerous bugs that have been found this month,  of the 8 updates 5 can lead to remote execution of code where a cleverly crafted web page or downloaded file can give a Malicious user the ability to install any number of programs on your machine that could capture data or other nasty surprises. the other 3 are related to denial of service and permission escalation.  basically make it so yoru internet and other applications that depend on the network will no longer work and make it possible to obtain more access to the computer than the administrator intended.  One of the themes repeated in several of these items was that running as a non Admin user on your computer. could prevent the desired effect of the malicious software. Windows Vista has technology which requires a user to actually allow resources to access the system at the admin level which can be annoying but much better than a keylogger or other rogue program stealing your banking information wouldn’t you agree?

Windows XP does not have them same capability installed and as such these patches are Vital to its security.

For more info www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-apr.mspx

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