December 16, 2004: Microsoft today announced that it will beef up Windows security after buying Giant Company Software, a developer of anti-spyware and Internet security offerings.
The Redmond, Washington, firm will use intellectual property and technology from the acquisition to develop tools that will give "near-term relief" to Windows users by enhancing defenses against spyware and other deceptive software.
This relief will come in the form of a beta version of a spyware protection, detection and removal tool, based on the Giant AntiSpyware product, which will ship "within one month" for users of Windows 2000 and later versions.
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for December, 2004
Issued: December 1, 2004
Update: December 14, 2004 Version Number: 2.0
Bulletin Summary:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-dec.mspx
Important Bulletins:
Vulnerability in WordPad Could Allow Code Execution (885836)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-041.mspx
Vulnerability in DHCP Could Allow Remote Code Execution and Denial of Service (885249)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-042.mspx
Vulnerability in HyperTerminal Could Allow Code Execution (873339)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-043.mspx
Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel and LSASS Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (885835)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-044.mspx
Vulnerability in WINS Could Allow Remote Code Execution (870763)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-045.mspx
Re-released Bulletins:
Buffer Overrun in JPEG Processing (GDI+) Could Allow Code Execution (833987)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms04-028.mspx
Based on your online lookups, the #1 Word of the Year for 2004 was Blog noun [short for Weblog] (1999) : a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.