Firefox 3.6.2 Available

Firefox 3.6.2 is out a little bit earlier than anticipated, and it includes fixes for at least one critical vulnerability, so go get it if you're running any other version.

Here's the download link to the various languages and OS versions.

Firefox Updates to 3.0.12

Firefox has released a version update that closes five critical security issues and also addresses some minor bugs and flaws. If you haven't moved up to the latest release, now would be an excellent time.

Smarter yet would be to move to the 3.5 version, which improves JavaScript performance and adds some privacy tweaks. If you have to stay on the 3.0.x releases, make sure you move to 3.0.12 to lower your risk.

As always, running some of the security-related extensions and add-ons helps even more.

Firefox Updated to 3.5.1

Well, that was quick.

Mozilla has updated the Firefox browser to version 3.5.1 to fix the JIT issue that came to light soon after the release of version 3.5. If you haven't updated to 3.5.1, please do so ASAP.

If you implemented Mozilla's suggested workaround by turning off JIT using about:config, make certain that you go back in and turn it on. And remember that the JIT flaw only existed in version 3.5. Earlier versions did not have the JIT functionality.

For all the ugly details, you can check out the security advisory.

Image via Daniel Semper at flickr

Firefox and Speed Stacking

I like Firefox. My son loves Speed Stacking. Finally, a video for both of us.

Microsoft Tuesday for Dec 2008

Hey, Windows users. It's that time of the month again.

Microsoft's December security bulletin includes 8 updates that allegedly close 28 flaws in various software offerings. This is one of the largest bundles since Microsoft moved to the monthly patching format.

Some of the fixes close flaws in ActiveX controls for Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0's Runtime Extended Files which could allow remote code execution by simply visiting a compromised website or opening a malware infested email.

There are also fixes for Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, Windows Media Components, and Office SharePoint Server.

As always, here's hoping you have Automatic Updates turned on. If not, be sure to run Windows Update or Microsoft Update as soon as possible, and make sure your antivirus software is both up to date and contains the latest vendor definitions.

Once again, I beseech thee to move off of Microsoft products, and at the very least, ditch Internet Explorer for Mozilla Firefox with the NoScript add-on.