Homeland Secure IT Alert
Homeland Secure IT Alert for Friday, October 22, 2010
Apple has issued two advisories which outline Java security updates for OS X 10.5.x and OS X 10.6.x (Tiger and Leopard). These advisories warn of several vulnerabilities in the OS X Java components (a total of 10). There are updates out to address a few of the flaws, however, many still pose a serious risk according to WatchGuard’s security bulletin.
Not to be outdone, Mozilla released a Firefox update fixing close to 13 vulnerabilities in their browser and that is across all platforms, including Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux…
In both cases, these updates attempt to correct vulnerabilities which exist that could allow your computer to become exploited by visiting a malicious website, or following a link to a malicious website. The solution is to apply updates from Apple to your OS as well as update the Firefox browser. By “exploited”, it means, your computer could have malicious software loaded on it that would give the attacker anything from read access, to absolute, total control, as in a “rootkit” which may be difficult to detect. Some rootkits and keygrabbers have been running undetected on computers for months, even years.
It is always a good idea to avoid unknown sites, and not open random links sent to you by unknown/untrusted sources.
Another must-have is quality anti-virus / anti-malware such as Trend Micro. Their Titantium Security for Microsoft Windows machines and Total Online Protection for Apple Mac systems are affordable and will help you avoid a costly and inconvenient virus cleanup or removal, as well as prevent your valuable data from falling into the wrong hands. We can provide you with these fine products!
If you need assistance with any computer or network security issue, anti-virus, anti-spam, or even a virus removed from your system, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com
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More information about these updates are here:
Apple Java 10.5 Update 8: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4418
Apple Java 10.6 Update 3: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4417
Mozilla Security Advisory 2010-67: http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/2010/mfsa2010-67.html
Homeland Secure IT Alert
Comments 2
“It is always a good idea to avoid unknown sites…”
In other words, just totally avoid the Internet and you’ll be safe (on the Internet)?
Har!
Pretty much 😉
We deal with mainly business clients, and the workers who become infected are generally the thoughtless browsers who follow every link that catches their eye. Of course, many businesses are seeing this and putting tight policies in place to lock down web browsing, which also has a way of affecting legitimate work that needs to be performed by the staff.
It’s always a good idea to browse websites with a system that is as secure as you can possibly get it, including updates to the OS, the browser and supporting applications, but some common sense can be a tremendous help at the same time.
John