News
Analyst: Microsoft Security Holes on Increase
- By Scott Bekker
- December 12, 2000
Microsoft Corp. has
released 30 percent more security patches this year than last year, according to
an analyst group, which says “the burgeoning popularity of all things Windows
make Microsoft and its products more frequent targets.”
The report, by Giga
Information Group’s Laura DiDio, says that two security patches released by
Redmond last week bring the total to 90 this year, compared with 62 patches
released last year.
The patches last week both related to Windows Media Player,
although they were separate problems. In both cases, however, the Media Player
software could enable hackers to run programs on other users’ PCs. “It
continues the disturbing trend, common to nearly all security flaws, of
invading a network and/or individual PC and making unwanted changes,” states
the report. It rates the seriousness of the security hole at 5 on a 1-10 scale.
Ironically, DiDio says that the increase in security patches
could be seen as a positive for Microsoft: “Microsoft has become much more
security conscious in the latest versions of all its software patches and more
pro-active in responding quickly to correct reported flaws.”
The report also warns that each company has to take
responsibility for its own security. “Know what’s on your network and PCs. Keep
up-to-date on the latest patches and fixes and perform regular risk analysis
and assessments of your site. In the final analysis, it’s your data -- if you don’t defend it, no one else will.” -- Keith Ward
About the Author
Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.