As recently reported here, Microsoft’s August updates included some that caused big problems for many Windows users. The updates were quickly removed from Microsoft’s update servers.
Yesterday, Microsoft re-released one of the problematic updates, MS14-045.
If you’re not using Windows Auto-update, you should install the new update as soon as possible.
Google released another new version of its web browser today. Chrome 37.0.2062.94 includes fixes for fifty security vulnerabilities, as well as other improvements to stability and performance. The official announcement has all the details.
Microsoft has removed the download links for several Windows updates that were released on August 12 for Patch Tuesday. Users have been reporting BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) errors after installing the updates. Not all Windows computers received these updates, and not all computers where the updates were installed are affected negatively.
The updates in question are all related to the MS14-045 bulletin, which refers to a set of security updates for the Windows kernel. Microsoft is advising users to avoid installing the related updates and to uninstall them if already installed. The KB2982791 update notes have been amended to include information about the problem and how to remove the affected updates.
The affected updates are:
You can discover whether any of these updates exist on your Windows 7 or 8 computer by opening the Programs and Features item in the Control Panel, and clicking View installed updates. Enter a KB number in the search box at the top right to search for it.
Another new version of Chrome was released on August 12. Version 36.0.1985.143 closes twelve security holes and includes a new version of Flash.
Adobe’s monthly updates continue to coincide with Microsoft’s. This month there are updates for Adobe Acrobat/Reader and Flash.
The new version of Flash is 14.0.0.176, unless you’re using Flash in a browser other than Internet Explorer, in which case it’s 14.0.0.179. Regardless, the new version includes several bug and security fixes, and adds some new features that are mainly of interest to developers.
The latest version of Adobe Reader is 11.0.0.8. This version fixes a specific vulnerability that allows attackers to circumvent security protections. According to Adobe, attacks based on this vulnerability have been seen in the wild.
Time once again to crank up Windows Update and patch your Windows computers. As expected, this month’s batch includes nine bulletins with associated updates for SQL Server, OneNote, SharePoint, .NET, Windows and Internet Explorer. Two Critical updates affect Windows and Internet Explorer.
Related information from Microsoft:
Apparently Java 7 Update 65 created problems for some Java installations, preventing certain applications from launching.
On August 4, Oracle released Update 67 for Java 7. The new version fixes the problems introduced in Update 65. Anyone experiencing problems with their Java 7 installation should install Update 67. This is not a security update.
Another month, another pile of patches from Microsoft. This month the updates will become available starting about 10am PST on August 12. According to the official advance notification, there will be nine security bulletins, with associated updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, .NET, SharePoint, OneNote and SQL Server. Two are rated critical.
There’s very little to talk about for the impending Windows 8.1 Service Pack 2 Update 2 whatchamacallit, aside from Microsoft’s strange (and confusing) aversion to sticking with a naming convention. As previously mentioned, the Start menu won’t return to Windows until version 9. The Verge has the details, which really aren’t worth reading.
A new version of the popular WordPress CMS was released yesterday. Version 3.9.2 includes a fix for a serious potential Denial-of-Service bug, and a few other changes that improve overall security.
Anyone who operates a WordPress site is strongly encouraged to update the software as soon as possible. Sites that are configured to allow auto-updates should be automatically updated in the next day or so.
boot13