microsoft

Microsoft has faced the first major test of its policy to phase out support for some versions of Windows XP. A major security patch last week was only available to users who had upgraded to the third and final Service Pack (SP3). As previously ... reported, Microsoft issued an out-of-cycle update (known more casually as an emergency pack) to patch a Windows shortcut flaw. The issue was particularly serious because it meant machines could be hacked if a user opened a folder containing the infected shortcut file, even if they didn't click on the shortcut itself. The shortcut flaw was such a clear ... (view more)

Microsoft will break a previous record by addressing 34 security vulnerabilities with this coming week's Patch Tuesday. The Redmond-based firm will issue a total of 14 security bulletins, eight of which are marked critical. According to a statement ... from the company on Thursday, the fixes address flaws in a number of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system (OS), Office, the Internet Explorer web browser, SQL and Silverlight. (Source: computerworld.com ) Most Security Bulletins Ever "This will be the most bulletins we have ever released in a month; we have released 13 ... (view more)

Owners of Mac computers will get their first chance to upload Microsoft's newest Office suite this October. It's expected the Mac edition's price will also see a significant price cut, by as much as 50 per cent in fact, in order to keep up with ... similar price drops for Windows PCs. Microsoft announced its plans for Office for Mac 2011 this past Monday, adding that it expected to release two versions of the software -- one targeted at academics, and the other at business users. Business Users Get Outlook Email Client So, what's the difference? Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Student 2011 -- ... (view more)

Microsoft has changed the its guidelines for reporting security flaws. It's a move that could bring Adobe into an industry-wide collaboration to share information about security risks. From now on, Microsoft will no longer urge security researchers ... to follow a "responsible disclosure" policy, in which it asked those who discovered flaws to keep them completely under wraps until a full fix had been found, tested and readied for distribution. Many security experts have claimed such a policy delayed Microsoft's response to security threats. They also felt not being able to talk about bugs made ... (view more)

Microsoft has confirmed the beta edition of Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) will be available in September. The announcement comes alongside leaked screenshots of the new browser. Rumors have pegged the beta release for IE9 in September 2, 2010. Kevin ... Turner, who is in charge of Microsoft's day-to-day operations, wasn't that specific in describing the new Internet Explorer, but it's the first time Microsoft has publicly named the month. The revelation came during a meeting with financial analysts , and there's some speculation Turner used it as an opportunity to hype Microsoft's future outlook. ... (view more)

Microsoft's Windows Shortcut Flaw has certainly grabbed headlines these past few weeks. Fortunately, the company looks ready to move beyond the sensational headlines with a new, permanent fix due out later today. A flaw associated with .LNK ... (shortcut files) in Windows 2000 through Windows 7 was first discovered about two weeks ago by security researchers. At first, the issue involved industrial firm Siemens and could only be transmitted through infected USB key, variants of the bug have spread to common Windows users. Worse yet, researchers found that merely plugging a compromised USB stick ... (view more)

Microsoft Corporation will face tough questions today at the annual Financial Analysts Meeting (FAM), where it's expected the software giant will have to answer for some troubling financial numbers. Topping the list of questions: a struggling ... Internet business, mobile-phone troubles, and where the company sees its future in a constantly-changing PC market. Microsoft shares have dipped significantly this year, down about 15 per cent over the same period in 2009 and just recently emerging from a 52-week low. That's prompted questions amongst financial analysts about how the company is ... (view more)

Two third-party software companies have come together to release temporary fix for a highly contagious and critical zero-day flaw which affects all versions of the Windows operating system (OS). The security flaw, which Microsoft says it knows about ... and is working on a permanent patch towards, makes users of Windows 2000 through Windows 7 vulnerable to attack if they open a desktop folder packing an infected .LNK file extension. Microsoft Temp Fix Not Popular Microsoft last week released its own temporary solution in the form of a workaround, but few users were very fond of a solution that ... (view more)

Windows XP continues to represent the single biggest target for hackers , according to security experts who also suggest these threats could initiate a considerable push for home and business users to upgrade to Windows 7. The recent discussion is ... based on Microsoft's early 2010 "Security Intelligence Report Volume 8," or SIRv8, which covered the six-month period July 2009 to December 2009. The report found that the United States continues to be the top spot for malware threats, with populous China running second, just in front of Brazil. WinXP Vulnerabilities Behind Push to Windows 7 An ... (view more)

Mozilla and Google have taken an interesting approach to ensuring that flaws, bugs and other problems associated with their Internet browsers are reported on in a timely manner. The two companies are paying outside researchers as added motivation, ... with the belief being that if a bonus is attached for their efforts, more individuals will be willing to offer up their time to discover new errors. Not All Researchers Financially Motivated Microsoft employees need not get too excited with the news, as company representatives announced that no such bonuses will be given to their researchers. ... (view more)