URGENT Install Immediately: PC Pitstop recommends installing this latest (958644) Microsoft security patch now.
On October 22, Microsoft released security patches for all versions of Windows listed below. This “out-of-cycle†patch was released in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 . Its sudden release only serves to emphasize its importance. You can check your add/remove programs sections to see if the patch was automatically installed (be sure to check the “show updates” box).
The bulletin warns of a remote code execution attack that can spread rapidly across the internet. Evidence of this RPC attack was first found two weeks ago and infects machines without any user interaction. In other words you don’t have to do anything and you can still get infected.
Previous service pack installations offer no protection and Windows 2000, XP and Server2003 are easy targets for this threat. Even Vista and Server 2008 are vulnerable although somewhat more protected by User Account Controls and data-execution protection.
It’s important to note that firewalls are the first line of defense but even with firewalls in place, once the threat has access within a network it spreads like the plague. The patch must be installed to all single machines or machines within a network to assure protection.
In addition to installing the patch offered by Microsoft, you should check that your Antivirus software has issued new definitions for this threat and that your definitions are up to date.
I suggest first installing the patch manually from the list below. Choose the patch for your particular Windows version. Be sure to restart your PC after installing the patch to confirm that your PC is bootable and then a second reboot will complete replacement of patched components.
Select the appropriate version of your operating system and download the patch from the link below or from the linked bulletin above.
Windows 2000 SP4
Windows XP SP2 or SP3
Windows XP 64-bit Edition
Windows Server 2003 SP1 or SP2
Windows Server 2003 (64-bit Edition)
Windows Vista or Vista SP1
Windows Vista (64-bit Edition)
Windows Server 2008 32-bit
Windows Server 2008 (64- bit Edition)
If you would like additional descriptive information please refer to Technet Blog MS08-067.
For those having problems sorting which operating system version you have please use this link.
