MS-DEFCON 4: Apply all outstanding Microsoft patches

We had a rather hairy Black Tuesday last month, but it looks like we’re now good to go.

MS 12-043 is the patch that generated a FixIt. I recommended that you apply the FixIt way back on June 14. You should install the patch whether or not you used the FixIt.

And you should apply the Internet Explorer patch, MS12-044, whether you actually use IE or not.

Looks like we have five “critical” patches coming on Tuesday. Get all of your MS patches applied now.

I’m moving us to MS-DEFCON 4: There are isolated problems with current patches, but they are well-known and documented here. Check this site to see if you’re affected and if things look OK, go ahead and patch.

MS-DEFCON 2: Make sure you’re locked down

I snuck away for a long weekend. Trying to get the cobwebs cleared out before th last big push on the Windows 8 book.

Time to make sure you have automatic updates turned off.

We have nine security bulletins fixing 16 separately identified security holes, coming on Black Tuesday. Sounds like fun.

I’m moving us up to MS-DEFCON 2: Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don’t do it.