Microsoft is urging Windows users to update their operating system to fix critical vulnerabilities that were detected involving Internet Explorer (IE) and Windows Defender.
The tech company released two emergency updates on Monday to address crucial security issues found in the two Windows products.
The first vulnerability involves the versions 9, 10, and 11 of the IE web browser, which hackers could exploit to give themselves full access to users' computers and infect them with malicious programs.
Microsoft has already replaced IE with the newer Edge with Windows 10, but the older web browser is still included in pre-installed versions of earlier Windows OS.
Meanwhile, the Windows Defender vulnerability reportedly allows hackers to take over computer systems remotely and to lock out legitimate owners from accessing them.
Fixing The Security Vulnerabilities
Microsoft said users can address the Internet Explorer and Windows Defender vulnerabilities by updating both programs to their latest versions. This will allow the company's fixes for software to take effect immediately.
In the case of the IE update, users will need to download and install the security fix manually since Microsoft will not provide an updated scan file for the program until next security release is rolled out in October 2020.
For the Windows Defender update, the fix will be installed automatically by the program.
Issues With Recent Windows 10 Updates
Microsoft has been plagued by user complaints regarding the recent Windows 10 update. KB4515384 was supposed to address the high CPU usage and other unforeseen problems said to have been caused by a previous OS fix. However, the update itself caused a new string of issues, including Wi-Fi router malfunctions.
However, tech experts still recommend that users should update their Windows OS to avoid any cybersecurity issues.
Peter Firstbrook, an analyst with IT research firm Gartner, told CNN that users should go ahead and install the latest updates since it is much easier to address a blue screen on a computer than a cyberattack.
"From a security perspective, you're much better off to stay current and stay with the latest updates," the IT analyst said.
While it might appear like faulty software updates are becoming more commonplace these days, Firstbrook said cyberattacks are occurring more frequently. He explained that bad updates tend to get more user reaction than attacks that occur when computer owners don't install updates.
Microsoft's security warnings come only a few weeks after the software developer urged Windows 10 users to install the latest OS updates due to potentially "wormable" vulnerabilities.
