'Protect your PC' Campaign launched to raise awareness of security resources and best practices, with free virus advisory support from Microsoft Middle East Support
Dubai, UAE Aug. 30, 2003. Microsoft has announced the launch of an unprecedented outreach program to PC users worldwide with its ‘Protect your PC’ campaign, which has been designed to raise awareness of security resources and best practices. After the recent outbreak of the W32.Blaster and W32.Sobig.A worms, Microsoft deemed it as imperative to ensure customers knew where to access the latest security tools.
Microsoft Middle East is offering free virus-related support to customers, and will work with concerned users to identify the issue, and advise on necessary steps to recover from a virus attack or protect their computer for the future. To avail of this service, customers in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain can call +9714 391 7700 option 4 and should request the virus advisory service. Other users can click through on www.support.microsoft.com, then ‘Additional Services’ to find their local support helpline.
When Bill Gates announced a move towards ‘Trustworthy Computing’ in July last year, it was recognition that computers play an increasingly important and useful role in people’s lives. Yet users are increasingly concerned about the safety of their data, whether they are a schoolchild or a CEO of a multinational enterprise. Microsoft built the Trustworthy Computing initiative on the pillars of reliability, security, privacy and business integrity to work towards building technology that is secure out of the box.
Microsoft also understands, however, that technology alone will not make the Internet safer. No single solution, or set of solutions, can ensure security. However, vigilance and a few simple measures - performed regularly - can help ensure that consumers are using current technology to stay ahead of contemporary threats.
To begin the process of securing data, Microsoft recommends the simple first step of visiting www.microsoft.com/protect. This enables users to work through step-by-step guidance to protect against attacks such as the Blaster worm, and guidance on how to recover if a computer has been infected. The three top tips to all customers are: enable your firewall, download the latest security updates and check your antivirus software is up to date. Customers can visit www.microsoft.com at any time to be just one click away from all the latest security information.
By Wednesday 13th August, over 80 million patches had been downloaded worldwide, protecting customers against the advance of the virus and in preparation for the attack scheduled for the 16th August. In the UAE, the Microsoft Customer Support Center, located in the Microsoft Middle East Head Office in Dubai Internet City, worked extended hours to provide full support to callers that were having problems caused by the virus. Approximately 500 calls were made from the UAE and all were solved without any loss of data or damage to the infected computer.
Many customers have faced confusion as they read reports of the two different recent attacks, and seemingly conflicting advice on how to handle them. The Blaster worm is a virus that exploits a known vulnerability in certain versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system which was patched with a security fix Microsoft issued on July 16th. SoBig is a mass-mailer worm containing a malicious attachment and is currently rated as "medium" by VIA. Both have the intention of causing upset, however, neither cause damage to the user’s computer, as they do not carry destructive payloads that attack the user’s system. What they do cause is untold upset to everyday computer users through mass mails or repeated crashing.
To avoid upset from Blaster, users need to patch their computer so that the worm cannot take advantage of the vulnerability that the patch fixes. SoBig.A cannot attack a user’s computer if the attachment is left unopened.
Microsoft urges customers to check that they have anti-virus software, and that they also always exercising extreme caution when opening unsolicited attachments from both known and unknown sources. Enabling a firewall, such as the one available in Windows XP, protects users from both of these worms, and systems equipped with the latest security updates through the automatic update function available in Windows Update, or with sturdy anti-virus software, will be protected against attack.
Microsoft continues to work towards the vision of truly Trustworthy Computing, and while much has been accomplished in the past year, there is still more to do – at Microsoft and across our industry. Microsoft invested more than $200 million in 2002 improving Windows security, and significantly more on security work with other products. In the coming year, we will continue to work with customers, government officials and industry partners to deliver more secure products, and to share our findings and knowledge about security.
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About Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East office in 1991, headquartered at Dubai Internet City and is responsible for all aspects of the company’s business in the region, covering UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus, Malta, Egypt and Pakistan. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast. Microsoft, Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
For further information contact:Microsoft Contact:
Aimee Peters
Microsoft Middle East – South Gulf
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Dubai,
UAE Tel: 00-9714 – 3917246
Fax: 00-9714 – 3971001
E-mail: i-aimeep@microsoft.com
Agency Contact:
Robin Duff/ Samer Costantini
ASDA’A Public Relations
Tel: 00-9714-3344550
Fax: 00-9714-3344556
E-mail: infor@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2003
