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
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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
- Install all Windows
critical updates. Open
INTERNET EXPLORER
and go to http://update.microsoft.com/
- If
you get a message to "Install
Microsoft Update today", follow
the instructions on your screen to
do so.
- Make sure you install all "required" updates.
One or more reboots may be required.
-
If you have not yet done so, set
your computer to automatically
download new Microsoft updates.
- Office 2000
users must install
updates from a second site. Open
INTERNET EXPLORER and navigate
to http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate
- Upgrade
to the latest version of Apple
Quicktime (version 7.1.3)
at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
- 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.
- Install all Macintosh OS
critical updates.
- Under the Apple Menu select System Preferences.
- Double-click on Software Update.
- Check the option to Automatically check for updates weekly.
- Run Check Now
- Install required updates
and reboot if prompted.
- Repeat steps above until
all needed updates are installed.
- If you have not yet done so,
set your computer to automatically
download new Mac updates.
- Install all Office critical updates. Navigate to http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx and
install the updates appropriate
to your version of Office.
- Confirm that you have the most recent virus definitions.
- Double-click on the Virex icon.
- 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/>
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