Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016 – 6 Critical Ratings

Last updated: August 12, 2016 

Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016 – 6 Critical Ratings

Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016

It’s Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016! Patch Tuesday, or Update Tuesday, refers to the day each month when Microsoft releases security patches for its software. Microsoft issues the security bulletins and updates on the second Tuesday of each month.

As part of today’s Patch Tuesday, Microsoft released 11 security bulletins. Out of the 11 security bulletins, 6 received Critical ratings. Included are critical security updates for Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge web browsers. Patched vulnerabilities could have allowed remote code execution:

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-084Critical
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (3169991)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-085Critical
Cumulative Security Update for Microsoft Edge (3169999)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-086Critical
Cumulative Security Update for JScript and VBScript (3169996)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-087Critical
Security Update for Windows Print Spooler Components (3170005)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-088Critical
Security Update for Microsoft Office (3170008)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-093Critical
Security Update for Adobe Flash Player (3174060)

According to Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Severity Rating System, Critical means:

A vulnerability whose exploitation could allow code execution without user interaction. These scenarios include self-propagating malware (e.g. network worms), or unavoidable common use scenarios where code execution occurs without warnings or prompts. This could mean browsing to a web page or opening email.

Microsoft recommends that customers apply Critical updates immediately.

The remaining 5 security bulletins received Important ratings. Microsoft encourages its customers to apply Important updates at the earliest opportunity.

Download and install the Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016 updates using Windows Update. Before starting, consider exiting out of programs that may be running on your computer. Windows 7 users click the Start button. Choose All Programs above the Search input field, and click Windows Update. Click the Check for updates link.

Windows 8 users, click the Search icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Start screen. Input Windows Update, and click Check for updates in the search results.

Windows 10 users, input Windows Update into the Windows search bar to the right of the Start button. Click Check for updates in the search results.

Windows will inform you if updates are available to download and install.  Click the Install updates button to begin the download and installation process.

After the installation of updates, a prompt to restart your computer will display. Consider restarting your computer right away rather than choosing to restart it later. This will allow the updates to take effect immediately.

References for Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016

Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2016

Microsoft Security Response Center July 2016 Updates

US-CERT: Microsoft Releases Security Updates

Thank you for visiting Tech Help Knowledgebase to learn about Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 2016.

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