Windows Security Flaw

A few days ago, there was a huge, dangerous flaw uncovered which could cause some serous damage to your machine.

Microsoft has finished the patch for the Windows Critical Flaw.

Sorry I couldn't get this out sooner, but we had a hard drivecrash. (Not fun!) Fortunately, I was able to back up most of our important data.

The URL for the official patch is:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-001.mspx

Please ensure that you are on the Microsoft website when youdownload the patch -- and do not download the patch from any othersource. You can also update your computer via Windows Update or MicrosoftUpdate if you have these services installed on your computer.

There is an excellent FAQ on this subject at the Castle Cops security website. This FAQ should answer any questions that you mayhave about thisissue much better than I ever could. The URL for the Castle CopsFAQ is:
http://castlecops.com/a6445-WMF_Exploit_FAQ.html


It's a good time to go over some basics for keeping your computer safe is 2006.

Always have an updated virus protection program. I use http://www.grisoft.com, which is totally free.

And, perhaps more importantly, you need to make sure your computer is free of spyware/malware, which is often not just advertising and annoying pop-ups, but can leave your personal information vulnerable, including your credit cards.

You can get a free spyware scan here:
http://www.wealth-ambition.com/a/spyware.htm


I used to use adaware by http://www.lavasoft.com/, but they missed too many key spyware elements. And that just wasn't good enough.

Cheers,
Andrew

PS - Here's a list of the resources I use:

Virus Protection: http://www.grisoft.com
Spyware Protection: http://www.wealth-ambition.com/a/spyware.htm