Email From Microsoft

[Lanny Bender]

I just received in my inbox an Email, purportedly from Microsoft. It has
this address: ""Microsoft Customer Assistance" <[email protected]>", and
this subject: "Latest Net Critical Upgrade."

It says that: "this is the latest version of security update, the "September
2003, Cumulative Patch" update which eliminates all known security
vulnerabilities affecting MS Internet Explorer, MS Outlook and MS Outlook
Express. Install now to help maintain the security of your computer from
these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could allow an malicious
user to run code on your computer. This update includes the functionality of
all previously released patches."

The attachment is a file called "Q256681.zl9"

Any validity to this "update"?

 

[Terry D]

I just received in my inbox an Email, purportedly from Microsoft. It
has this address: ""Microsoft Customer Assistance"
<[email protected]>", and this subject: "Latest Net Critical
Upgrade."

It says that: "this is the latest version of security update, the
"September 2003, Cumulative Patch" update which eliminates all known
security vulnerabilities affecting MS Internet Explorer, MS Outlook
and MS Outlook Express. Install now to help maintain the security of
your computer from these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which
could allow an malicious user to run code on your computer. This
update includes the functionality of all previously released patches."

The attachment is a file called "Q256681.zl9"

Any validity to this "update"?

This is not from Microsoft, who would never send mail with attachments. Do
NOT open the attachment as it will contain a virus. There has been a glut
of these mails today, with various attachments - I've had about thirty but
apparently some people have received hundreds. Try using OE mail filters or
install a third party spam cleaner.

Terry D.

 

[Rob Parsons]

News http://www.viruslist.com/eng/index.html?tnews=1001&id=88142

 

[Mr. Clean]

I just received in my inbox an Email, purportedly from Microsoft. It has
this address: ""Microsoft Customer Assistance" <[email protected]>", and
this subject: "Latest Net Critical Upgrade."

It says that: "this is the latest version of security update, the "September
2003, Cumulative Patch" update which eliminates all known security
vulnerabilities affecting MS Internet Explorer, MS Outlook and MS Outlook
Express. Install now to help maintain the security of your computer from
these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could allow an malicious
user to run code on your computer. This update includes the functionality of
all previously released patches."

The attachment is a file called "Q256681.zl9"

Any validity to this "update"?

MS doesn't notify consumers about patches. You have to learn of them
yourself.