Windows patch

[cellio]

Microsoft has published the patch for the WMF security hole. If you run Windows and you ever view images whose pedigrees you're not 100% certain of -- like, say, if you ever visit non-trusted web sites, or you view images people send you via email or IM -- you should apply this patch now. Don't wait for the automatic updates to run. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, you should read the security bulletin. Microsoft even admits it's a critical update.)

I'm going to leave LJ image placeholders turned on for a day or two, just in case this fix doesn't do it. (Image placeholders prevent posted images from automatically showing on your friends page, which is useful if you read any open communities where malicious images could be posted.)

Comments

[steven.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this. Although I don't use a PC anymore, I'm usually the one who's summoned by Paul or my mother when something goes wrong with theirs. I'll be sure to get them to update.

[cellio]

I have a friend who secretly installed VNC (a remote desktop) on his parents' PC because sometimes it's just easier to fix the problems than explain them to novice users. :-)