Microsoft Patches Critical Crack Released

Yesterday, August-03-2010, Microsoft released an emergency patch for a "critical" crack in Windows OS, The patch that could let crackers or hackers take control of computers over the Internet.

Microsoft official said, "The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if the icon of a specially crafted shortcut is displayed"

"An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user."

Computer users commonly use shortcuts in the form of on-screen icons they can click to instantly awaken favoured applications.

The Windows flaw lets hackers booby-trap such icons with malicious software that could let them control machines from afar.

Microsoft routinely releases software patches the second Tuesday of each month, but resorts to making patches available "out of band" when it deems situations dangerous.

"Several families of malware have been attempting to attack this vulnerability," Microsoft Trustworthy Computing response manager Christopher Budd wrote in a blog post.

"We firmly believe that releasing the update out of band is the best thing to do to help protect our customers."

Some attacks have reportedly been directed at power plants and other vital infrastructure. People using computers running on any version of Windows software were urged to apply the update immediately.

To run the microsoft update, use this site, you must be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later.

To upgrade to the latest version of the browser, go to the Internet Explorer Downloads website.

If you prefer to use a different web browser, you can obtain updates from the Microsoft Download Center or you can stay up to date with the latest critical and security updates by using Automatic Updates. To turn on Automatic Updates:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Depending on which Control Panel view you use, Classic or Category, do one of the following:
* Click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.
* Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.
3. Click the option that you want. Make sure Automatic Updates is not turned off.