March 2012 Critical Windows patches

March 16, 2012

On March 13, 2012, Microsoft released patches for critical vulnerabilities in Windows. One of the patches is for an extremely critical Remote Desktop vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to compromise an unpatched system running a Remote Desktop server.

* All Windows PCs must be patched. *

To patch your PC:

Click on the update icon on the taskbar. It is a globe or yellow shield with an exclamation point, depending on which version of Windows you're running.

If you do not have such an icon, run Windows Update by going to the site:http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

After patching, you must reboot your PC in order for the patches to take effect.

Other Windows patches:

If you use Microsoft Visual Studio, see:http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms12-021

for information about an important patch.

If you use Microsoft Expression Design, see:http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms12-022

for information about an important patch.

If you are the administrator for a Windows DNS server, see:http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms12-017

for information about an important patch.

Please contact help@cs.cmu.edu or call the SCS Help Desk (x8-4231) if you have questions or problems with applying these patches.

Thank you for your attention,

SCS Help Desk