Windows 10, new update to improve security

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 10 that fixes several security issues. Here's how to install the update

Run to launch Windows Update: Microsoft has finally released two important updates for your PC's security. The first one is the security update for Adobe Flash Player for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based systems (KB4537759) and the second one is the cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based systems (KB4532693).

The first one, released directly by Adobe, closes a flaw in Flash Player while the second one fixes a beauty of 99 flaws, 12 of which are considered "critical" and the remaining 87 are "important". Among the critical flaws fixed by this cumulative update there is also the very dangerous CVE-2020-0674, which if well exploited allows a hacker to remotely execute dangerous arbitrary code if the user visits an artfully crafted website with the Internet Explorer browser. Two other fixed flaws are CVE-2020-0681 and CVE-2020-0734, which allow a computer to be hacked when it connects to untrusted servers.

Why it's important to update Windows 10

Most of the critical issues fixed with this latest Windows 10 update are memory corruption flaws in Internet Explorer and Edge and the "Chakra" JavaScript engine. These vulnerabilities, if successfully exploited, could also allow an unauthenticated remote user to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system. The user has no way of realizing what is going on and, as a result, cannot defend themselves. These are almost all zero-day vulnerabilities, meaning they are inherent in the operating system, some of its components or the applications mentioned.

Programming flaws that were not foreseen when the code was written have come out later thanks to the work of several computer security companies participating in Microsoft's bounty program. A program that provides financial rewards for those who discover a security flaw and report it to Microsoft, giving it time to fix it before revealing the technical details to the public.

How to update Windows 10

To install the latest security updates, which is highly recommended, you need to go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates on your computer. Windows update will find the updates and download them but in order to finish the installation and close the 99 security holes for good, a restart of the operating system will be required.