How Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Fix Reinforces the Need for Proactive IT Management
On Thursday, May 2nd, Microsoft issued an out-of-cycle security update to address the Internet Explorer security flaw publicly disclosed last week. The remote code execution vulnerability lured IE users, who make up over half of the Internet browser share, to click on malicious links, which potentially could have then granted hackers full control of individual PCs.
Microsoft reported that only a limited number of targeted attacks had been identified, but still urged users of Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 to immediately install the patch. They even showed a little mercy on Windows XP users by pushing the update to that outdated OS, too. “When we saw the first reports about this vulnerability, we decided to fix it, fix it fast, and fix it for all of our customers,” said Adrienne Hall, general manger of Microsoft’s security unit.
This all-encompassing patch should resolve any Internet Explorer issues. However, don’t let the fix keep you from always following these rules of the road for smart, secure Internet usage:
So how will this fix be implemented?
Microsoft said that, for customers who have automatic updates turned on, the security patch would install automatically. But many computers are wary of such programmed updates — and many don’t know how to verify they’re enabled.
Which is where proactive IT maintenance and monitoring comes in. Envision IT’s around-the-clock service began deploying the Internet Explorer patch less than 12 hours after Microsoft issued it, and many of our clients had it installed on their machines when they showed up to work on Friday. All without stressing over whether to click “Yes” when prompted for an unfamiliar update or waiting for an internal IT resource to come by their desk and manually install it.
Beyond keeping your computer safe from the hackers behind this recent Internet Explorer bug, how else can proactive IT services benefit your business?
- By keeping your employees productive and efficient, which saves you money
- By keeping your data and network secure, which gives you peace of mind
- By keeping your systems running 24/7, which allows you to better serve your customers
- By keeping your IT goals in focus, which helps you strategize for the future
- By keeping human intelligence — high-level consultants, help desk technicians, and on-site support — in charge of your technology, which provides a valuable competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace
Want to stop worrying about the security of your systems? Ready to stop spending hours trying to fix issues yourself? Contact Envision IT today to find out how we combine superior customer service with complete, proactive IT support.