Microsoft has released six new security updates, including three "critical" updates. If exploited, there is a high risk of a hacker taking over your system.

	WEEKLY REPORTS Microsoft's Latest Security Releases Top 10 Threats

Among the critical updates is a security fix for the program in your computer that finds your printer and schedules jobs to it.

Another critical update fixes a problem in Internet Explorer, to which your Windows system is subject -- even if you use a different browser to access the web.

The third and final critical patch fixes a flaw in a program that allows you to automatically run new hardware once you plug it into your computer. Flaws similar to this have been exploited by the Blaster and Sasser worms in recent years.

All three of these critical flaws could give hackers remote access to modifying files, installing programs, and creating new user accounts on your system or network.

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Worry Watch Plus Online only:

Information, Protection and Prevention -- Microsoft Updates
• Microsoft Security

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Microsoft's Latest Security Releases:
Name	Number (click to access)	For Users of	Priority
Vulnerability in Print Spooler Service	KB896423	Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1 and SP2)*	Critical
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer	KB896727	Internet Explorer; Windows 98, 2000 (SP4), ME, XP (SP1 and SP2), XP Professional*	Critical
Vulnerability in Plug and Play	KB899588	Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1 and SP2), XP Professional*	Critical
Vulnerability in Telephony Service	KB893756	Windows 98, 2000 (SP4), ME, XP (SP1 and SP2), XP Professional*	Important
Vulnerabilities in Kerberos	KB899587	Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1 and SP2), XP Professional*	Moderate
Vulnerability in Remote Desktop Protocol	KB899591	Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1 and SP2), XP Professional*	Moderate
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool	KB890830	Windows 2000, XP*

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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
Sdbot.ftp More	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP	Medium
Netsky.P More	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Severe
Mhtredir.gen More	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Medium
Gaobot.gen Moer	Worm	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	High
Gaobot.JKK More	Worm	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	High
Mitglieder.DQ More	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Medium
Smitfraud.E More	Virus	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Low
Qhost.gen More	Trojan	Windows 2000, NT, XP*	Low
Nailpol.A More	Trojan	Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP*	Low
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.