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Cyber-Terrorists Create Crisis For Microsoft: Dept. Of Homeland Security Issues Security Alert For Windows, Urging Users To Install Patch
Microsoft got thrown an unexpected curveball yesterday when the Department of Homeland Security issued an unusual security alert, warning users of Windows-based personal computers to patch a flaw in the Microsoft operating system. While not a product crisis in the traditional sense, savvy messaging will be required by tech giant’s PR team to put distance between the brand name and a potential “terrorist-friendly” tag.
“The department considered it prudent to advise the public using Microsoft operating systems to take this action,” said department spokesman Russ Knocke, regarding the security alert. “It’s a proactive and prudent measure the department has chosen to take,” he adds, reports New York Times writer John Markoff.
On Tuesday, Microsoft issued its monthly list of security flaws, including one that the company rated “critical.” It said an attacker who exploited the vulnerability “could take complete control of an affected system.” That would make it possible to install malicious programs or to change or delete data.
Yesterday the DHS said in a news release that it was urging anyone who used Windows software to install the patch as soon as possible. The department said its Computer Emergency Readiness Team was working with Microsoft to minimize the impact of the vulnerability.
Several computer security software firms said yesterday that they had already begun to see software tool kits that exploited the vulnerability, and Microsoft officials noted that they had seen some limited attacks.