Top 5 Optimizers technical rumors

26 vulnerabilities in 13 security bulletins have been fixed with the recent big patch by Microsoft. 11 of these bulletins effected Windows, and the rest affected the older versions of Microsoft Office. Although the server-side vulnerabilities become less and less common, they may become a golden goose for an attacker if discovered, as it may allow full access to the computer or the entire network without any user involvement required. It is highly advised to get the updates as soon as possible for your own safety.

Experts agree that Windows 7 has enhanced security to ward off attacks on vulnerabilities in old software. But what if a money-minded online scammer can persuade you to download malware onto your PC? Social engineering attacks try to trick you into downloading and installing bot malware that poses as a useful program or video. Some attacks combine tactics, as when a scammer sends an e-mail message encouraging you to open an attached PDF file, only to trigger an exploit buried in the file that then hunts for a flaw in Adobe Reader. Social engineering ruses include using a hijacked social network account to send malware lures to friends of the owner, sending a link to a supposed video taken of a friend, and hiding a poisoned URL in a shortened link of the type commonly used on Twitter. Toss in other tried-and-true scams such as videos that instruct you to in­­stall a codec file (but instead lead you to a malware download), and phony documents attached to e-mail messages that appear to come from coworkers, and it becomes clear why Windows 7 users can’t let their guard down.

Hewlett-Packard has issued a number of patches for its OpenView software package. Given the severity of vulnerabilities it is advised to apply these patches immediately. The HP OpenView Network Node Manager has 12 buffer overflow holes, which could be exploited to execute arbitrary code, or even gain control. Each of the vulnerabilities has been given a rating of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System scale, the most severe rating possible, and all of them are currently being reviewed by Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures editorial board.