Every month, Microsoft and other leading software manufacturers release security updates and patches for their various programs.

	WEEKLY REPORTS Solutions, Prevention & Remedies Top 10 Threats

While these fixes are meant to inform the public and repair critical flaws, sometimes they give hackers the information needed to create a threat that can take advantage of an unprotected system. For users who do not immediately patch their vulnerabilities, this is bad news.

According to Gartner, an IT research company, a recent swell in activity could mean that hackers are targeting one of the critical flaws in Server Message Block (SMB) that Microsoft announced in mid-June. SMB allows a user to read, write, create and request information from files and programs on other computers in a network.

If exploited successfully, the flaw -- affecting Windows 2000, 2003 and XP -- could allow a hacker to gain control and have the same capabilities as the computer user. This could mean that some of your most important files and programs could be altered or deleted, which could cause a lot of damage if you're running a small business with deadlines.

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Worry Watch Plus Online only:

Information, Protection and Prevention -- SMB Vulnerability information
• Microsoft's latest patch

• Gartner Inc.(June 21, 2005)

• Panda Software Definition

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Latest Security Updates:
Name	Item	For Users of	Priority
Vulnerability in Server Message Block	KB896422	Windows 2000 (SP3 and SP4), XP (SP1 and SP2)*	Critical
Windows 2000 Rollup	Over 50 security patches and fixes	Windows 2000 (SP4)	Critical

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* Reading: Solutions, Prevention & Remedies
Additional summary information related to a specific type of solution or prevention that you should be considering. Depending upon the week, this section may have:
• Recent Windows security releases from Microsoft
• Recent updates to widely used anti-spyware programs
• Recent updates to widely used anti-virus programs
• Recent updates to other security programs & devices (ex: Firewalls, routers)
• Recent updates to various applications in wide use

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Top 10 Threats:
Name	Type	Affects	Alert Level
Mhtredir.gen MORE	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Medium
Netsky.P MORE	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Severe
Sdbot.ftp MORE	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	Medium
Mitglieder.DQ MORE	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	High
Qhost.gen MORE	Trojan	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	Medium
Smitfraud.B MORE	Virus	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	Medium
Gaobot.gen MORE	Worm	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	High
Codbot.AP MORE	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	High
Small.GV MORE	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Medium
Psyme.C MORE	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Low

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Read: Top Threats
These are viruses that are currently on the watch lists of major anti-virus software companies.

Name
What the threat is called. We use the name given each virus by Panda Software. Sometimes other anti-virus companies give the same threat a different name. Usually they use similar names.

Type
There are different characteristics associated with different types of threats.
• Virus - has the ability to replicate or infect computers or other programs
• Trojan Horse (or Trojan) - appear to be harmless programs when you get them. They unleash their payload when you double-click, open, or execute them.
• Phishing - a Web site or e-maill message posing as another company - usually one you know to fool you into giving the sender personal information.
• Worm - self replicates onto additional disks, computers or networks
• Spyware - installs on your system to collect information about your activity, preferences or interests
• Hoax - false messages sent by e-maill to mislead the recipient
• Backdoors - opens a security hole that allows outsiders to take control of your computer
• Dialer - uses your telephone to dial an outside number - sometimes a number that costs you money when dialed

Affects
Not all viruses affect all types of systems. Some, for example may affect only Windows 98 and 95, but not Windows XP or NT. Others affect all Windows systems, but not Macintosh. In this column, we show you the consumer systems that the threat is known to affect. We don't always include the servers that operate in your company's backroom.

Alert level
The level of awareness that anti-virus vendors suggest you need to have for each threat listed.
For each threat listed, we'll post a corresponding link here, so you can get more information to help you recognize, diagnose, prevent, and repair the problem.