Microsoft MAPPs Out New Security Plan
I heard about the new MS MAPP (Microsoft Active Protections Program) at accountingweb, but the article didn't make much sense (possibly because I'm still on my first cup of coffee?) so I went to the source for more details.
Because I just click the little icon (unless my geek in residence specifically says not to) I never paid attention to which day of the week/month my Microsoft updates occurred and didn't know about Patch Tuesday. Basically it's when Microsoft releases all their big software and, here's the important part, security patches. These patches cover vulnerabilities in MS software that can be exploited by hackers and virus writers.
In order for most security software companies to figure out what and where these holes are so they can better design their products to block them, they have to reverse engineer Microsoft's updates. Then they can update their own products to prevent people from exploiting these holes.
The second post above, from Microsoft, indicates that they (finally!) realize what an inefficient system this is. Microsoft's MAPP will share critical information about these security holes with selected security product providers BEFORE Patch Tuesdays to give them more time to develop a fix before the announcement of the security issue repairs are made to the public. All under an ironclad seven ways from Sunday NDA, of course.
Oh, and if you are running, well, anything Microsoft, since one of the August patches involved the Microsoft Image Color Management system for Windows 2000, XP, and Win Server 2003, you prolly ought to go ahead and click that little shield icon in the lower right.
Because I just click the little icon (unless my geek in residence specifically says not to) I never paid attention to which day of the week/month my Microsoft updates occurred and didn't know about Patch Tuesday. Basically it's when Microsoft releases all their big software and, here's the important part, security patches. These patches cover vulnerabilities in MS software that can be exploited by hackers and virus writers.
In order for most security software companies to figure out what and where these holes are so they can better design their products to block them, they have to reverse engineer Microsoft's updates. Then they can update their own products to prevent people from exploiting these holes.
The second post above, from Microsoft, indicates that they (finally!) realize what an inefficient system this is. Microsoft's MAPP will share critical information about these security holes with selected security product providers BEFORE Patch Tuesdays to give them more time to develop a fix before the announcement of the security issue repairs are made to the public. All under an ironclad seven ways from Sunday NDA, of course.
Oh, and if you are running, well, anything Microsoft, since one of the August patches involved the Microsoft Image Color Management system for Windows 2000, XP, and Win Server 2003, you prolly ought to go ahead and click that little shield icon in the lower right.
Labels: Software, Virus Alerts
posted by Dy at 6:09 AM
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