Apple and Microsoft Release Critical Patches

SkiifGeek writes "Both Microsoft and Apple have released major security updates in the last 24 hours. Microsoft's single update (MS09-017) addresses fourteen distinct vulnerabilities across all supported versions of PowerPoint, but it isn't the number of patched vulnerabilities that is causing trouble. Instead, the decision to release the patch for Windows versions while OS X and Works versions remain vulnerable to the same remote code execution risks (including one that is currently being exploited) hasn't gone down well with some people. Microsoft have given various reasons why this is the case, but this mega-update-in-a-patch is still interesting for other reasons. Meanwhile, Apple has updated OS X 10.5 to 10.5.7 as part of the 2009-002 Security Update, as well as a cumulative update for Safari 3 and the Public Beta for 4. As well as addressing numerous significant security risks, the 10.5.7 update provides a number of stability and capability enhancements and incorporates the Safari 3 update patch. Probably the most surprising element of the Apple update is the overall size of it; 442MB for the point update, and 729MB for the ComboUpdate."

But

[Anonymous Coward]

I have a feeling that the microsoft patch is a little more serious.

Slashdot said patch

[olddotter]

If a patch is important enough to be on Slashdot I apply it? (well not really) Keep up the work /. and remember the internet depends on you.

Re:Apple, Microsoft and Ninnle Labs

[gardyloo]

Thanks, A Noways Cum Donor

Size...

[courcoul]

> Probably the most surprising element of the Apple update is the overall size of it; 442MB for the point update, and 729MB for the ComboUpdate."

Well, the Server version of the Combo updater runs close to the whole GB. In other words, it would seem the patch is virtually overwriting the entire OS.

Wonder if the the Vista patch is doing the same, overwriting with Windows 7? :D

Re:Dashboard patched thoroughly

[0xdeadbeef]

let me miss my usual train too

The next Microsoft commercial: Apple makes you late for work.

Re:Software vulnerabilities

[FiloEleven]

Another logical fallacy would be criticizing GP's post without looking at who the author of the post is.

Nec hominem fallacy?

This can't be right!

[Anonymous Coward]

As well as addressing numerous significant security risks, the 10.5.7 update provides a number of stability and capability enhancements

Seriously, this has to be wrong. Every Mac every sold has ZERO security risks and ZERO stability issues.

Re:Dashboard patched thoroughly

[djdavetrouble]

This speed boost that you are referring to is of course one of the best things about apple updates.
You call it faster, we (the hive mind of apple fandom) call it "SNAPPIER".

Seems that Dashboard is the recipient of some of Apples secret snappy sauce (ASSS) this time.

Re:Size...

[Anonymous Coward]

Windows 7 isn't really Windows 7, it is Win 6.5, and is basically Vista SP2 (now with better PR).

Re:numbers wrong

[sgt scrub]

Wow! It is amazing how those numbers look like the minimal and maximum iso install downloads for a Linux distro.

Re:Inconsistent update sizes

[Anonymous Coward]

"It was about 290mb for my third generation macbook pro"

There you go! They push out a lighter updates for macbooks in order to not weigh them down!