Trend Micro & DHS call for Windows users to uninstall Quicktime
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an alert warning computer users that have QuickTime for Windows installed about new vulnerabilities and strongly recommending that users uninstall the program.
Apple announced that it would no longer be issuing security updates for QuickTime for Microsoft Windows, as the company is deprecating the software. This announcement, along with the recent discovery of two new, critical vulnerabilities affecting the software prompted security firm Trend Micro to release an [link url=”http://blog.trendmicro.com/urgent-call-action-uninstall-quicktime-windows-today/” title=”urgent call to action“] that urged the immediate uninstall of QuickTime for Windows.
Urgent call to action: Uninstall QuickTime for Windows today. Details: https://t.co/mrwcZl7G5O .
— Trend Micro (@TrendMicro) April 18, 2016
DHS warning
The DHS followed up Trend Micro’s urgent call to action with a warning of its own, as the recent happenings with Quicktime for Windows exposes users to elevated cybersecurity dangers, and could even result in attacks where remote hackers assume control of affected computer systems.
According to the official [link url=”https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA16-105A” title=”DHS warning“]: “Computers running QuickTime for Windows will continue to work after support ends. However, using unsupported software may increase the risks from viruses and other security threats. Potential negative consequences include loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data, as well as damage to system resources or business assets. The only mitigation available is to uninstall QuickTime for Windows.”
No active threats
While Trend Micro stated that it is “not aware of any active attacks against these vulnerabilities currently,” it cautioned that the only way to fully guard against potential attacks from the vulnerabilities is to uninstall the program at once.
US advises deleting QuickTime from #Windowscomputers https://t.co/PWBXV5iTHB
— Phys.org (@physorg_com) April 15, 2016
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