A couple of the most notorious SVO’s  [Security Vulnerability Offenders] are back again with ‘critical’ updates.

If you have Java or Flash on your computer [Who doesn't?], please make sure you update to the latest versions.

At this writing, for Java, that would be version 6 update 24.

http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Flash is more complicated as there are multiple versions depending on your browser.  As of this writing, Flash for 32 bit Internet Explorer would be version 10.2.152.26.  For 64 bit IE, it would be version 10.2.161.23.

(by the way, these new versions also provide enhanced performance.)

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Generally speaking, if you visit the above addresses with the browser of your choice, you will be offered the correct version.

[After all, what could possibly go wrong?]

This video may give you a good idea as to why updating is important.

It is incredibly important to keep *all* the software on your computer updated on a very regular basis.  Do not leave this to chance.  Do not rely on programs to update themselves. 

Do use tools like Secunia PSI.  Secunia PSI can help you keep a lot of these programs up to date.  We highly recommend this tool, found at: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

 Do insure that you have the latest anti-virus software and  keep it updated with current definitions.

There is a list of software that *must* be updated on a regular basis (if installed):

• Sun Java Runtime
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe Reader
• Your computers operating system, be it XP, Vista, MAC OS, Linux or whatever.
• Your browser, be it IE, Firefox, Opera or whatever
• QuickTime
• Spybot Search and Destroy Immunization definitions
• Spyware Blaster
• Your antivirus software
• Your firewall softwares
• Your Security suite, it that is what you use
• CCleaner or whatever temp file and registry cleaner you may use
• Any other anti-spyware software you may use
• WordPress, or any server based blogging  or similar tools you may use

The bad news is that, Yes, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition must be upgraded to version 8 by May 29, 2008.

The good news is that AVG Free is still free.  Now that may seem redundant, but lots of folks thought AVG Free was going away when they had to upgrade to version 7.0.  In fact, ever one of my customers who were using AVG free at that time, thought they had to pay for the new version.  Not true then, and not true now.

AVG Free Version is still alive and well.  Just download AVG Free, version 8 before May 29 and install it.  There is no need to uninstall version 7.5 before installing version 8.   The installation routine will find your old version and uninstall it automatically.

The following link will take you to the download page:  http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

Adobe Flash Player is one of the apps that we recommend that users upgrade to the latest version ASAP, because of security vulnerabilities.

Check to see if you have the latest version at the following link:

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_15507

Keeping Windows up to date is critical for maintaining a secure computer.  But downloading all those updates over a slow connection can be an onerous time consuming task.  Let alone hours of busy signals on you phone line.  Follow this link to PCmag.com instructions on how to transfer the required updates from a fast connection to a slow connection via a flash drive or CD.

 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2017577,00.asp

Microsoft is working furiously to fix a deep vulnerability in Windows. This vulnerability has affected lots of third party software vendors, and has hit Adobe Reader particularly hard. 

This vulnerability is being very actively exploited in the wild, both through infected email and through infected web sites.  It is propagated via infected .pdf files.   Therefore it is very important to download and install the latest patch to Adobe reader.  We advise all readers to check to see if they have Reader version 8.1.1, and if they don’t, to install it immediately.

Also, look for a patch from Microsoft in the near future.    We predict Microsoft will issue a patch ASAP, and not wait for their normal second Tuesday update cycle because this vulnerability is so important to get plugged.

For more information:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/26/microsoft_scrambles_to_fix_windows/

We highly recommend Spybot Search and Destroy to our readers.

Not because it is the best anti-spyware on the market, but because of it’s Immunize function, which uses practically no computer resources to effectively prevent the installation of thousands of malicious items. (We do also recommend periodically using the scanner, but here is so much spyware out there that it seems that no program is able to get it all, and therefore we recommend using a variety of anti-spyware applications.)

And believe us, when it comes to malware, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Therefore we strongly recommend installing the new and improved version of Spybot, version 1.5.

We recommend downloading this program from the creator via the download options provided:

http://www.safer-networking.org

Adobe has fixed a number of critical bugs in Flash Player. And for good reason. All users are advised to install the update ASAP, or sooner if possible.

The update can be found HERE>

Apple has released new version QuckTime that fixes a critical vulnerability.

QuckTime is one of those ubiquitous programs that is installed on almost all computers, and that most computer owners probably don’t even realize is there.

So, we advise all users to install this update right away. Look for the blue ‘Q’ icon in your task bar, right click and select, Check for QuckTime updates.

Or visit apple.com:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/win.html