Security experts, Homeland Security warn Windows users to uninstall QuickTime
A screenshot of the QuickTime logo from Apple’s website. Security experts are calling for users of QuickTime on Windows computers to uninstall the software immediately because of critical vulnerabilities.
Security experts are calling for users of QuickTime on Windows computers to uninstall the software immediately because of critical vulnerabilities.
The international security software company Trend Micro advised in the blog post Thursday that Apple was no longer issuing QuickTime security updates for Windows users and recommended users uninstall the media player. The advisory does not apply to Mac users.
Furthermore, security researchers at Zero Day Initiative released information about security vulnerabilities in QuickTime on Windows computers, which could allow hackers to run malicious code on affected computers. The vulnerabilities are detailed in advisories here and here.
Officials at the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team on Thursday reiterated the advisory from Trend Micro, also adding that “Potential negative consequences include loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data, as well as damage to system resources or business assets.”
Warnings about the vulnerabilities thus far have been unanimous in saying that the only available solution is to uninstall QuickTime. Users seeking detailed instructions on how to uninstall the program can find them on Apple’s website.
15 responses to “Security experts, Homeland Security warn Windows users to uninstall QuickTime”
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So why isn’t Apple updating QuickTime for Windows users and have they sent notifications that updates have been discontinued and the program should be not used and uninstalled as well?….
because Apple doesn’t care about Windows users.
Apple doesn’t care about anything but its coffers. Look at all the taxes they refuse to pay by not repatriating their profits stashed overseas.
Every Mac, iDevice, and Final Cut users have been abandoned.
They are now focused on services, such as iTunes music, movies, and apps.
I dumped my ipad a year ago, and use no idevice, as Safari is horrible. Been uninstalling QT on all workstations Mac and Win for years. No reason to have it anymore. Nothing is encoded for QT anymore, much like Real, and DivX. And I never install iTunes Win. It slows your computer like no other.
Enjoy this classic article on this weekend of tax filing:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-biggest-tax-scam-ever-20140827
Very good article. I have brought up this issue of offshore accounts in the past and it is now in full gear. When the fact that Mitt Romney used offshore accounts to evade taxes came out people didn’t even seem to notice. And we wonder why this issue continues to roll on. The biggest tax scam in my opinion is the corporate’s ability to hide all of these shenanigans and spin-doctor it into the biggest shot in the arm for the US economy while having all those who listen believe that they are hard up by the “high taxes” that they have to endure. They either have the best PR in the world or we are simply too dumb to realize that we are being fleeced.
So much for protecting users’ security.
good riddance quicktime! cholo still remembers the day apple had the nerve to automatically install their crappy browser without users consent via a quicktime update.
I agree with you Cholo. It’s just the same as when Microsoft had the gall to preload IE. So where’s the major breaking news for Flash?
yup sometimes cholo doesn’t know who is worse…
You guys are so funny!
These two zero-day vulnerabilities have been known since at least November 2015, six months ago. So it looks like everybody dropped the ball on notifying us of these “critical vulnerabilities” and now they’re making it sound like the world will unravel unless we all uninstall it Right This Very Second.
Oh well, I haven’t had it on my machine since I migrated from Vista to Win7, and that was two hard drives ago.
I highly recommend switching from Windows of any kind to Apple OS. Apple has always had a strong commercial grade operating system based on UNIX standards which makes it more resistant to malware, viruses, and hacking. While many Apple users go without any anti-malware or virus protection, I recommend using a good anti-malware/virus program– Google and find the best free programs. Experience at several large companies is that Apple has almost zero issues compared to Microsoft with problems occuring almost weekly.
You forgot to add that Apple also helps to employ 12 year olds who otherwise would have no other means of supporting their family. They are truly a company that cares for their employees unlike Microsoft…
Don’t forget Lenovo, Dell, HP, Samsung, et al. They all source in China and S.E. Asia. The difference is that Apple has actually taken steps to address working conditions in overseas factories.
Just uninstalled it just now after a brief hiccup. It seems none for the worse. Also uninstalled another program, QuickCleaner which somehow got installed on unsolicited?
Oh geez, Cojef. Don’t ever install any of those QuickCleaner or MacClean apps. You need to take a look at library directories to make sure you didn’t leave pieces behind. Also check cookies for names of the application maker.