Security Alert for Notre Dame Microsoft Windows Users

August 9, 2006

Notre Dame Computer Users: Please update Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft released many critical security updates for Windows XP this week, as part of their monthly updates.  To ensure your Windows computer remains protected from new threats, it is important for you to install these critical updates.  ND computers that have previously installed Take Charge will automatically receive these updates, and you only need to reboot when prompted to have the updates take effect.

If you haven't previously installed Take Charge on your Windows XP computer, or can't remember if you've done so, you can Take Charge today by visiting http://oit.nd.edu/security/takecharge.shtml and following the instructions there.  If you choose not to install Take Charge, you should verify that you have the latest updates.  To do so use Internet Explorer, and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have additional questions or problems, please contact your departmental IT support, or the OIT Help Desk at 574-631-8111 (oithelp@nd.edu).

This alert is in response to a potential security threat announced by Microsoft. The company discovered a Windows vulnerability that could allow unknown users to gain access to your computer. Additional detail about the current vulnerabilities that these updates address can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/bulletins/200608.mspx