Security Bulletin
of September 15, 2006

Overview
Who is Affected

Recommended Actions

Administrative Users
Academic and All Home Windows Users
Academic and All Home Macintosh Users
Tips for Safer Computing
Further Assistance

Other Bulletins
Recent CERT Alerts

ADMINISTRATIVE Staff: If you use a computer at HOME, please read on.

STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, ACADEMIC STAFF AND ALL HOME USERS must follow the recommendations below.

I. OVERVIEW

Serious security holes have been identified in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, and Apple QuickTime and Flash Player. To protect your computer, and other computers on the network, follow the instructions below. This will install all the applicable critical and important updates issued by Microsoft on September 12, 2006. If you missed earlier Microsoft updates, it will apply those as well.

In addition to applying the updates described below, do not open unfamiliar or unexpected Microsoft Word or other Office documents, including those received as email attachments or hosted on a web site. A vulnerability in Microsoft Word, for which there is not yet a fix, could allow an attacker to gain control of your computer.

II. WHO IS AFFECTED?

Both Macintosh and Windows computers are vulnerable to at least some of these serious security threats.

III. RECOMMENDED ACTION - ADMINISTRATIVE USERS ON CAMPUS

Administrative Computing will upgrade systems in Administrative Offices, but you must upgrade your home systems. Please follow the recommended actions for Window or Macintosh home systems.

IV. RECOMMENDED ACTION - STUDENTS, FACULTY, ACADEMIC STAFF, and ALL HOME WNDOWS COMPUTER USERS

1. Install all Windows critical updates. Open INTERNET EXPLORER and go to http://update.microsoft.com/
2. If you have not yet done so, set your computer to automatically download new Microsoft updates.
3. Upgrade to Apple QuickTime version 7.1.3 at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
4. Install the latest version of Flash Player on your computer from http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/
5. Install Windows Defender from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/
   This free program from Microsoft that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
6. Confirm that you have the most recent virus software, and current virus definitions at http://www.haverford.edu/acc/virus/xpantivirus.html

V. RECOMMENDED ACTION - STUDENTS, FACULTY, ACADEMIC STAFF, and ALL HOME MACINTOSH COMPUTER USERS

1. Install all Macintosh OS critical updates. This will update QuickTime, and get any other updates you may have missed.
   1. Under the Apple Menu select System Preferences.
   2. Double-click on Software Update.
   3. Check the option to Automatically check for updates weekly.
   4. Run Check Now
   5. Install required updates and reboot if prompted.
   6. Repeat steps above until all needed updates are installed.
2. If you have not yet done so, set your computer to automatically download new Mac updates.
3. Install the latest version of Flash Player on your computer from http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/
4. Install all Office critical updates. Navigate to http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx and install the updates appropriate to your version of Office.
5. New versions of our McAfee antivirus software were made available late August. If you have not yet installed the current versions, following the directions at http://www.haverford.edu/acc/virus/macantivirus.html.
6. Confirm that you have the most recent virus definitions.
   1. Double-click on the Virex icon.
   2. Click on the eUpdate button.

VI. PRACTICE SAFER COMPUTING ALL THE TIME

Always follow the guidelines to Protect Your Computer at http://www.haverford.edu/acc/protect/.

VII. FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE

Students, faculty and academic staff please contact Academic Computing:
Telephone: 610-896-1480
Email: compctr@haverford.edu
Web: http://www.haverford.edu/acc/helpdesk/
In Person: Stokes 204 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday and until 9am to 9pm on Tuesdays.

Administrative staff please contact Administrative Computing:
Telephone: 610-896-1355
Email: admincc@haverford.edu

VI. MORE INFORMATION

Additional information about computer security and current threats can be found at the following sites:

United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT )

<http://www.us-cert.gov/nav/nt01/>

McAfee Avert Threat Center

<http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/default.asp>

Microsoft Security

<http://www.microsoft.com/security/>

Apple Product Security

<http://www.apple.com/support/security/>