EFS Network Management - Security

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Virus Wars

A Virus War is occurring between two rival virus authors. As a result, they are generating variants of viruses to exploit the newly discovered Windows Security issue. The antivirus companies are not able to keep up with the rapid deployment of the variants. Security firms are asking everyone to apply the critical patch as quickly as they can to stop the security leak.

To update your system go to Microsoft’s Update site. In Internet Explorer, click on Tools and Windows Updates, follow the prompts, select the defaults, and apply all critical updates. Symptoms of the new variants are constant reboots of a computer. If you have a lot of updates to apply, then as a minimum focus on Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-039 Exploit critical update to stop the variants from slipping past your antivirus software.

Resources:

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-039 Exploit

CNET News - Virus Knocking Out Computers

Two New Level 3 Viruses W32.Zotob.E and W32.Esbot.A

Two new Level 3 viruses are spreading rapidly. They are is taking advantage of a new security hole in Microsoft Windows operating systems. This security hole was just made public last week. Microsoft has a critical update available to plug the hole. We have not fully tested this update, but it is advised that the critical update be applied as soon as possible. Both new level three viruses W32.Zotob.E and W32.Esbot.A exploit this security issue.

The viruses open back doors on infected systems and causes system instability. They also launch denial of service attacks against other companies like, Microsoft, CNN, New York Times, and other media centers. The threats are easily contained by applying the latest critical updates and ensuring your antivirus software is up to date with at least August 16, 2005 definitions.

More information about these issues at:

Level 3 Virus W32.Zotob.E

Level 3 Virus W32.Esbot.A

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-039 Exploit

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Microsoft's Security Updates for August

Microsoft has released six security updates for this month. Three are critical updates that if not patched could allow malicious code full access to your system. There are no known issues with these updates at this posting. For more information, see Microsoft Security web site at http://www.microsoft.com/security.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Windows Not Completing Booting Sequence

Recently it has been discovered that Windows Servers and Desktops of all versions will not complete the booting process. It has been determined that systems that are running certain versions of the APC PowerChute UPS auto shutdown software are the root cause of this problem. The immediate fix is to disable the software under Windows Services. The software can also be uninstalled and that will fix the problem. APC has released a update to the software and it can be downloaded and installed to replace the APC software that is failing on Windows Startup. More information can be found at APC’s Website. 

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Microsoft's Security Updates for July

Microsoft has released three security updates for this month. They are critical updates that if not patched could allow malicious code full access to your system. There are no known issues with these updates at this posting. For more information, see Microsoft Security web site at http://www.microsoft.com/security .