ACC Mail ACC ACC Homepage
About ACCACC NewsFaculty Services IndexStudent Services IndexACC User DocumentationACC Computing PoliciesRecommended Systems and Purchase informationComputer Support Services
 

Security Bulletin
of February 15, 2007

Overview
Who is Affected

Recommended Actions

Administrative Users
Academic and All Home Windows Users
Academic and All Home Macintosh Users
Tips for Safer Computing
Further Assistance

Other Bulletins
Recent CERT Alerts

ADMINISTRATIVE Staff: If you use a computer at HOME, please read on.

STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, ACADEMIC STAFF AND ALL HOME USERS must follow the recommendations below.

I. OVERVIEW

Serious security holes have been identified in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, and Apple Quicktime. To protect your computer, and other computers on the network, follow the instructions below.

In addition to applying the updates described below, do not open unfamiliar or unexpected Microsoft Office documents, including those received as email attachments or hosted on a web site. A vulnerability in Microsoft Office, for which there is not yet a fix, could allow an attacker to gain control of your computer.

II. WHO IS AFFECTED?

All desktop computers (Windows and Macintosh) are affected.

III. RECOMMENDED ACTION - ADMINISTRATIVE USERS ON CAMPUS

Administrative Computing will upgrade systems in Administrative Offices, but you must upgrade your home systems. Please follow the recommended actions for Window or Macintosh home systems.

IV. RECOMMENDED ACTION - STUDENTS, FACULTY, ACADEMIC STAFF, and ALL HOME WNDOWS COMPUTER USERS

  1. Install all Windows critical updates. Open INTERNET EXPLORER and go to http://update.microsoft.com/
    1. If you get a message to "Install Microsoft Update today", follow the instructions on your screen to do so.
    2. Make sure you install all "required" updates. One or more reboots may be required.
  2. If you have not yet done so, set your computer to automatically download new Microsoft updates.
  3. Office 2000 users must install updates from a second site. Open INTERNET EXPLORER and navigate to http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate
  4. Upgrade to the latest version of Apple Quicktime (version 7.1.3) at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
  5. If you have not yet done so, install Windows Defender from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/
    This free program from Microsoft that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

V. RECOMMENDED ACTION - STUDENTS, FACULTY, ACADEMIC STAFF, and ALL HOME MACINTOSH COMPUTER USERS

Although Macintosh systems are not included in this alert, Macintosh users should confirm they are current with OS and Virus updates by following the instructions below.

  1. Install all Macintosh OS critical updates.
    1. Under the Apple Menu select System Preferences.
    2. Double-click on Software Update.
    3. Check the option to Automatically check for updates weekly.
    4. Run Check Now
    5. Install required updates and reboot if prompted.
    6. Repeat steps above until all needed updates are installed.
  2. If you have not yet done so, set your computer to automatically download new Mac updates.
  3. Install all Office critical updates. Navigate to http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx and install the updates appropriate to your version of Office.
  4. Confirm that you have the most recent virus definitions.
    1. Double-click on the Virex icon.
    2. Click on the eUpdate button.

VI. PRACTICE SAFER COMPUTING ALL THE TIME

Always follow the guidelines to Protect Your Computer at http://www.haverford.edu/acc/protect/.

VII. FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE

Students, faculty and academic staff please contact Academic Computing:
Telephone: 610-896-1480
Email: helpdesk@haverford.edu
Web: http://www.haverford.edu/acc/helpdesk/
In Person: Stokes 204 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday and until 9am to 9pm on Tuesdays.

Administrative staff please contact Administrative Computing:
Telephone: 610-896-1355
Email: admincc@haverford.edu

VI. MORE INFORMATION

Additional information about computer security and current threats can be found at the following sites:

United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT )
<http://www.us-cert.gov/nav/nt01/>
McAfee Avert Threat Center
<http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/default.asp>
Microsoft Security
<http://www.microsoft.com/security/>
Apple Product Security
<http://www.apple.com/support/security/>

For Questions and Comments, contact Haverford College's Academic Computing Center.
Last updated on February 15, 2007

HC HomeCampus DirectoryHaverford College Library ResourcesHaverford College Web Search EngineAcademic DepartmentsACC Home