There is yet another browser related vulnerability being exploited at this time.  This time it is a Javascript vulnerability in the Adobe Reader. It will not be patched until January 12, 2010.  (You should disable this feature:  Click: Edit -> Preferences -> JavaScript and uncheck Enable Acrobat JavaScript)

This brings up the point that you need to keep your software up-to-date, and not just your operating system.  The Mozilla Firefox Browser has important patches that were recently released. These need to be installed on your system if you are using FireFox as one of your web browsers.

Security risks, and vulnerabilities can occur in any part of your system.  One piece of software, for example Adobe Reader, that can be exploited by hackers, leaves your entire system vulnerable.  It does not matter which door they use to get into it, once they are in, they can do tremendous damage.

This brings up another point:  Do not install software that you do not need.  Many applications that are installed via the Internet, contain malicious code in them.  Even if they do not, they may contain security holes in them.  Often times, the person writing the program does not keep it up to date, or uses out-dated libraries to build the program.  If these programs are built on such out-dated libraries, they could contain security holes that have been patched.  The same is true if the program has not been updated recently.

So, keep the programs that you install to a minimum, and keep the programs you do have installed up-to-date with the latest patches. 

Contact us if you would like a review of your system to check for these and other vulnerabilities.  You can email us or call 800-672-4806.