Two new critical flaws have been discovered in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that require your urgent attention. These flaws could compromise your information security if your computer is left unprotected.

In fact, the flaws were rated as so severe that the company broke with its tradition of releasing security updates around the middle of the month in coordination with Microsoft's "Patch Tuesday".

They released an update sooner this time, in order to make sure that these issues were resolved, and ensure the fixes were in the hands of their users.

The first issue, listed as CVE-2018-16011, is an exploit that takes advantage of the software's 'Use-After-Free functionality that allows a hacker to craft a special, poisoned PDF embedded with code that could allow them to take full control of the system targeted by the attack.

The second, identified as CVE-2018-16018 bypasses the JavaScript API restrictions in place on Adobe Reader. This greatly increases the risk of overriding the computer security in a given OS.

The flaws can be found in all versions of Windows, macOS Acrobat DC, and Reader 2019.010.20064 and older. The company recommends updating to version 2019.010.20069 to address the flaws and be sure your system is protected.

The company has listed both of these as critical flaws with a rating of two, which is about as serious as it gets.

In related news, we have learned that Adobe's regularly scheduled security patch will address a total of 87 security flaws across a range of the company's products, with 39 of the issues patched being rated as critical.

Kudos to Adobe for breaking with their tradition and addressing both of these flaws ahead of their regularly scheduled update.  It's a sad testament to the times we live in that such actions are becoming increasingly necessary. However, it's always good to see instances of prominent tech companies rising to the occasion and looking out for the best interests, particularly in the computer security Myrtle Beach of their user base.

Be sure to grab these updates and apply them as soon as feasible if you use either of the products mentioned above.

Not sure about your computer security? Call SpartanTec, Inc. today to keep your computer safe at all times.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC  29577
843-418-4792
https://www.spartantec.com/

Windows 7 Support Ends In 2020, So Plan To Upgrade

If you are among the shocking number of people who are still using Windows 7, then there’s some bad news for you. Microsoft is offering only one year of full support for Window 7 users. They will no longer offer important security updates by January 14, 2020. With this in mind, it is necessary that Windows 7 users take precautions to improve their information security.

The support will end only for individual users, which could deal a blow to their computer security. Businesses that use Window 7 will continue to receive support beyond the said date.

But, they need to register to the Windows 7 Extended Security Update program once the date listed above has passed. They also need to pay a fee, which increases annually.

Discounts will be offered to enterprise users that have volume licensing agreements. However, support will still be discontinued completely by January 2023. Microsoft will likewise provide ESU’s for free to clients who buy the Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop service, letting users virtualize Windows 7 and Windows 10. This will improve computer security Myrtle Beach of who choose to upgrade.

Additionally, Microsoft will also cease offering support for Office 365 ProPlus plugin for Windows 7. The company will also end offering support to several other products.

The news is no longer surprising since the tech giant has made public its support timeline long before this announcement. However, there are still a number of companies that are using legacy applications, which depend a lot on Windows 7 and most of them have not yet established any migration plans. If your company is among these firms, you still have time to make the necessary plans. But keep in mind that you have a limited time to do so. Disregarding this will cost you in the end and will have a huge impact on your bottom line.

Microsoft has drawn a hard line at this point, and it’s highly unlikely for the company to give in to the pleas of consumers for a longer extension. So, you better start planning to switch or upgrade now.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. for more information on how you can switch or upgrade to a different operating system.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC  29577
843-418-4792
https://www.spartantec.com/