VISTA.BLORGE updated: Patch Tuesday, Windows 7, Office 14

It’s time for some updates on recent stories from VISTA.BLORGE. To start, there are a couple of noteworthy points to add to our coverage of this week’s Patch Tuesday update, which surprisingly had just one fix for a vulnerability.

First, this month Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT), which accompanies the update, is set up to remove the Conficker virus. That’s a worm which began spreading quickly when hackers discovered a flaw in Windows which Microsoft fixed in an emergency patch in October.

Microsoft says it’s also found a variation of that virus, which it’s calling Conficker.B. Rather than relying on the Windows security gap, this variant tries the old trick of simply guessing passwords to access data shared on a network. It’s also set-up to spread via removable media such as USB sticks.

While the MSRT is a useful tool, it’s certainly no substitute for either full-fledged security software or general good security practice. MSRT is more of a mopping-up exercise than a primary solution.

As for the security update itself, Microsoft has explained why it didn’t include a fix for Windows 7. Its reasoning is that, as with Vista, the potential damage from the vulnerability was limited and, for beta software, it only patches security problems ranked as critical. The patch will instead be built directly into the next public release of Windows 8.

Speaking of Windows 7, yesterday Gareth Powell noted that it will likely be released some time before Office 14. Mary-Jo Foley of ZDNet reports today that, despite the varying schedules, the two are being designed with one another in mind. Her sources say the integration won’t be as close as that between Windows 7 and Windows Live, but that Office 14 will be designed to ‘light up’ the operating system. This is likely to involve link-ups such as making it easier to search Office files across a network.

Finally, those among our readers who aren’t among Vista’s biggest fans might be amused by a parody article claiming Steve Ballmer has admitted the system was a practical joke.

Two of the better lines are Ballmer saying, “Windows Vista Home Premium? You didn’t get that? What did I have to call it, Windows Vista Home Premium Deluxe Platinum Version? Would you have gotten it then?” and an analyst commenting, “The greatest trick that Ballmer ever pulled was convincing the world that Vista exists.”

• Microsoft fixes Windows Vista Office 2007 patch issues
• Patch Tuesday update zaps third-party bugs, but Media Player fix on hold
• Microsoft changing Patch Tuesday process
• IE7 and Windows Mail in Vista to receive ‘critical’ fixes on Patch Tuesday
• Patch Tuesday looking quiet this month