Microsoft has released a few new security updates for their Office based products.

Read More for the full list!

Microsoft has posted a new cumulative security update for it's web browser software Internet Explorer version 5.01 SP2 up to version 6 SP1. All Windows operating system versions need to be patched. Again this is a cumulative update that includes the functionality of all the previously-released updates for Internet Explorer 5.01, Internet Explorer 5.5, and Internet Explorer 6.0. Additionally, it eliminates the following five newly-discovered vulnerabilities:

Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Update: Internet Explorer May Close When You Leave the Pointer on the Text in the DHTML Editor: This update resolves an issue when in the DHTML editor of Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (SP1), when the text in the DHTML editor is a link, and the pointer is at the end of the link text, Internet Explorer may unexpectedly close (crash) when you try to exit the page. Read more...

Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Office 2003. This update fixes a problem that occurs when you try to open or to save a Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 file, a Microsoft Office Word 2003 file, or a Microsoft Office Excel 2003 file that includes an OfficeArt shape that was previously modified and saved in an earlier version of Microsoft Office. When a PowerPoint 2003 file, a Word 2003 file, or a Excel 2003 file is opened in an earlier version of Office, empty "complex" properties may be introduced into the file and a bit may be changed in the file record that describes these properties.

Paul Thurrott over at WinInfo has thrown up a look at what you're going to get when Microsoft release service pack 2 for windows XP early next year.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is still due in the first half of 2004, but Microsoft this week revealed exactly what's going into the oft-delayed collection of security patches. XP SP2 will ship with all XP security features enabled by default (what a concept), meaning that the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) will be on, and the Windows Messenger service will be off.

Outlook 2003 Add-in: Video Email
Use a Web camera to easily send and reply with a video email to your friends and family with just two clicks on the Video Email for Outlook 2003. Outlook 2003 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup
Backing up your Microsoft Outlook information is quicker and easier with the Personal Folders Backup feature. Personal Folders Backup creates backup copies of your .PST files at regular intervals, in Outlook 2000 and later versions, making it easy to keep all of your Outlook folders safely backed up.

This update provides support for Wireless Protected Access, a new standards-based wireless security solution developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. WPA is intended to replace the existing Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) standard, offering much more robust methods of encryption and authentication and resulting in a new level of protection for customers taking advantage of the wireless features of Windows XP.

Discover how Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) will improve Windows XP-based computers? ability to withstand malicious attacks from viruses and worms. With Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft is introducing a set of security technologies that include: Network protection, Memory protection, Safer email and Safer browsing.

Wegen Problemen mit Patches hat Microsoft heute 3 Sicherheitspatches aktualisiert. Wobei neben Windows XP diesmal auch Windows 2000 und alle anderen Betriebssysteme betroffen sind. Bei den alten Versionen kann es zu unerwünschten Abstürzen und Bluescreens kommen. Leider werden die neuen Patches nicht mehr im Downloadcenter angezeigt und müssen daher manuell integriert werden, falls vorher bereits die fehlerhaften eingespielt worden sind. Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-042 nur für Windows 2000
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-045
Quelle: HW-Labs

The latest release for the X-Box is also a non-gaming release. Xbox Music Mixer is a Karaoke add-on to the gaming console, available for $40 and including a microphone, Microsoft hopes to appeal to more mainstream consumers than just hardcore gamers.
Another feature in the karaoke add-on is a picture viewer that enables pictures to be copied from a pc to the x-box and creating slideshows.
Perhaps this will be particular popular in Japan, given their affinity for karaoke bars? ;)

news.com.com

Your Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) When You Try to Bring It out of Standby or out of Hibernation by Using a USB Device ( KB 826959) Description:
This setup program installs Microsoft USB 1.0 / 2.0 upgrade files for Windows XP Home & Professional with Service Pack 1. It fixes an issue where the computer may lock up when trying to bring it out of standby or out of hibernation with external USB devices attached. Read More For more informations and download

I was just notified that there is also a build of longhorn that is not yet released to the public that who's version string reads For testing purposes only. Build 4050.private/lab06_demo.031019-1809., Yet that is about 9 days old because it was compiled on October 19, 20003 where as the build that was handed out at the PDC was Evaluation copy. Build 4051.idx02.031001-1340 and compiled on the 1st of October. The Microsoft employee said that Aero is still under heavy construction and security, to prevent any form of leakage, as the rep himself had never really worked with it.

View Screenshots and more info Here

MSN Messenger is an instant messaging program that lets you send instant messages with cool emoticons, send pictures and other files to your friends, call a phone anywhere in the world from your computer, see when someone is typing a message to you, page a contact's mobile phone, and much more. Click on Read More... for download links.

Thanks to Neowin.net we have the latest build of MSN Messenger version 6.1 Beta Build 150 and while you're there you might want to check out MSN 9 Beta Build 1601!.

Flirt, banter, gossip, or just catch up without saying a word.

On screen conversations that are more instant than e-mail and more discreet than phone calls.

A new updated version of the DirectX 9.0b Redistributable for Software Developers - Multilingual is available (35MB). This new package officialy dated 10/6/2003 and includes newer cabinets.

After announcing that customers will see the next service pack for Windows XP this year, Microsoft now says it will be a beta only, and that final code is still some way off. Just three days after a Microsoft vice president - who is in charge of Microsoft.com and Windows Update - told thousands of delegates at a conference in Florida that Service Pack 2 for Windows XP would be available by the end of 2003, the company has effectively retracted the comments and said that customers will see only a beta version of SP2 this year.

Microsoft have released more updates the 15 oct. than the single one posted at Neowin:

824141
825119
828035
826232 (Win2k only)
823182

Generally it is time to visit Windows Update.

Neowin.net reports that a security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Microsoft Windows and gain control over it. To attempt an attack, the attacker would have to be able to log on to the computer. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

I have searched around the web and found the following updates and fixes for Microsoft Windows XP:


Read More

Just got word that TechConnect have snagged Windows XP Service Pack 2 Build 1224!

Update: Just a quick update! TechConnect Windows XP Service Pack 2 Build 1224 is in fact Build 1213.

even though the links say: hirekmedia.hu/xpsp2-1224.exe