Last updated: October 24, 2017
[May 12, 2017 Update: See How to prevent WannaCry ransomware]
It’s Microsoft Patch Tuesday March 2017! Patch Tuesday, or Update Tuesday, refers to the day each month when Microsoft releases security patches for its software. Microsoft normally issues the security bulletins and updates on the second Tuesday of each month.
In today’s update, Microsoft released 18 security bulletins. Out of the 18 security bulletins, 9 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 MS17-006 – Critical
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (4013073)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-007 – Critical
Cumulative Security Update for Microsoft Edge (4013071)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-008 – Critical
Security Update for Windows Hyper-V (4013082)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-009 – Critical
Security Update for Microsoft Windows PDF Library (4010319)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-010 – Critical
Security Update for Microsoft Windows SMB Server (4013389)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-011 – Critical
Security Update for Microsoft Uniscribe (4013076)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-012 – Critical
Security Update for Microsoft Windows (4013078)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-013 – Critical
Security Update for Microsoft Graphics Component (4013075)
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-023 – Critical
Security Update for Adobe Flash Player (4014329)
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.
Download and install the Microsoft Patch Tuesday March 2017 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 March 2017
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for March 2017
US-CERT: Microsoft Releases March 2017 Security Bulletin
Thank you for visiting Tech Help Knowledgebase to learn about Microsoft Patch Tuesday March 2017.
Image Credit: Pixabay / InsaneArtist
Tech Help Knowledgebase creates how-to articles and video tutorials for common issues, and provides technical support for the categories covered by our site.
Get Support.
