SEATTLE(AP) Microsoft Corp. released an emergency security patch Tuesday to plug a hole in several versions of Windows _ including Vista, which the software maker has touted as its most secure operating system ever.

Microsoft was so worried about the hole _ which allowed hackers to break into personal computers and install malicious software _ that it pushed out the critical security fix a week ahead of a regularly scheduled update.

The Redmond-based software company told customers last Thursday about a vulnerability in ".ani" files, which are used to change the cursor into an hourglass while a program works, or into a dancing animal or other animation on specially designed Web sites. Security experts said the hole was actively being exploited by hackers to install keystroke-logging programs.

Ken Dunham, director of the rapid response team at iDefense, the research division of VeriSign Inc., said a group of Chinese hackers was using the security hole to steal and sell log-ins to the popular "World of Warcraft" multiplayer computer game.

Microsoft said it has known about the vulnerability since December.

Users surfing the Web were the first targets, security experts said.

The Microsoft patch "will be a significant milestone in this attack," Dunham said. However, as businesses take time to test and implement the patch, and consumers delay downloading it, hackers will still be at work.

Customers whose Windows computers aren't set to automatically install critical patches can download the security update, MS07-017, from Microsoft's Web site.

Quote - Users surfing the Web were the first targets, security experts said.

That should limit the damage to only a few million.

Quote - a group of Chinese hackers was using the security hole to steal and sell log-ins to the popular "World of Warcraft" multiplayer computer game.

HA

still aint gettin vista =P
xp works, why change? :)

Check out this thread about that "update" {cough - cough}

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2692354

Just another reason to stay with XP!

Quote - Microsoft said it has known about the vulnerability since December.

I'm sure glad they jumped right on that one. How long does it normally take to develop a patch for something like that?

depending on how deep the code problem is, how many librarys are affected etc, anywhere from 5 minutes to 18 months....

Yup, Im still not getting scared into getting Vista..XP works..and if it aint broke, dont fix it

I downloaded the update last night (I have XP Home), and since then every time I start up I get a message about "user32.dll" having been moved because it conflicted with something Windows had loaded (presumably the update).  Anyone know what this is, since I haven't found anything that isn't working.

Quote - I downloaded the update last night (I have XP Home), and since then every time I start up I get a message about "user32.dll" having been moved because it conflicted with something Windows had loaded (presumably the update).  Anyone know what this is, since I haven't found anything that isn't working.

My dad got this type of error today, too. If your error mentioned something about RTHDCPL.EXE or HHCTRL.OCX,  there is a hotfix on microsofts website. heres the link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935448/en-us

Hope this helps. ^_^ 
Nikitagia

Thanks, that fixed it :)

Glad I could help. ^_^

Quote - > Quote - Users surfing the Web were the first targets, security experts said.

 

That should limit the damage to only a few million.

What? Damage from the hackers or damage from the patch? 

I'll stick with XPPro.

We have a firewall on our router and on each of the computers as well.  My son is running Vista and he loves it but doesn't do any of the things I do so I'm staying with my XP Pro until I don't have a choice any more.   It was the same when I had my 98SE ... I didn't change until I had to buy a new computer.  Since then I've learned how to build my own and I have my legitimate copy of XP Pro on disk so I can keep it until it's no longer supported by MS.

Can I make a request? Someone build an operating system that will run all the software windows does, doesn't have the security issues that windows does, looks similar enough to windows that people who don't like change will be willing to use it and costs less than $100.00 so we can afford to get it. Oh and it can't break down, crash or lock up every few hours.  I'm sure you'll find plenty of people here who'd help with making cool graphics for it.

Thats what we should do! :thumbupboth: {really, its a good idea actually} and with alot of people working on it, it could actually happen

That so-called security upgrade caused two of my computers to die the week before.  I have two VAIOs and both crashed out.  Sony tech support advised I should reset both computers and not download any upgrades for one or two weeks until the whole thing is sorted.  Amazing.