Microsoft Announces Improved Security Measures for the New Year
In response to massive increases in the number of threats to computer users last year, Microsoft Corp. has announced new and improved security initiatives for 2004. The security initiatives will help protect against the main types of threats: port-based attacks, e-mail attacks, malicious Web content and "buffer overruns." Microsoft will also provide new security seminars and in-depth training courses throughout 2004 for consumers and educators.
Another initiative aims at improving the distribution of security patches by releasing them on a monthly basis. Microsoft's free Software Update Services 2.0, which will provide a seamless patch, scanning and installation process for Windows, SQL Server and Office among others, is scheduled for release in the first half of the year. Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, also scheduled for release in the first half of 2004, will enable users to protect their systems against malicious attacks even if patches do not yet exist for that specific type of attack. For more information on Microsoft's 2004 security initiatives, visit www.microsoft.com/security.
This article originally appeared in the 01/01/2004 issue of THE Journal.