How's this for a critical security update? Turns out that the
MS06-040 patch, released Tuesday, is of such a critical nature that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is urging users,
in an official notice, to apply the patch as quickly as possible.
From the press release:
"Windows Operating Systems users are encouraged to avoid delay in applying this security patch. Attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems routinely occur within 24 hours of the release of a security patch. This vulnerability could impact government systems, private industry and critical infrastructure, as well as individuals and home users."
According to CNet's News.com, the specific vulnerability being patched has a strong resemblance to the MSBlaster worm that spread rapidly in 2003, taking down a large number of systems through the "remote procedure call."