Urgent: Homeland Security urges PC users to uninstall Quicktime (do it)

Straight from the government

If you have a Windows PC, but use Apple’s QuickTime software to watch videos or listen to music, your computer could be in danger, according to statements released by the Department of Homeland Security and an independent cybersecurity firm.

Apple no longer making security updates

Trend Micro, a top security firm, published a blog post on Thursday revealing that two bugs were found in the QuickTime for Windows software. What’s more, it turns out that Apple is no longer issuing crucial security updates to PC users with QuickTime, leaving users vulnerable to hacking and other security threats. Since Apple will no longer be making security updates to QuickTime for Windows, Apple, as well as Trend Micro, recommend that all Windows users simply uninstall QuickTime.  Immediately. Don’t wait until tomorrow.

Mac users with QuickTime, on the other hand, should be safe.

No active attacks – yet

Trend Micro is “not aware of any active attacks” based on these software bugs, but security could be compromised if users cross paths with hackers, who could take advantage of the bugs in the QuickTime software to spread viruses or steal your identity. Now that the news of the bugs is quickly spreading, it will only be a matter of time before hackers try to take advantage of them. That’s why it’s important not to uninstall as soon as possible.

The Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity team, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) also issued a similar alert this week. Again, they insist that “the only mitigation available is to uninstall QuickTime for Windows.”

How to uninstall

Apple has not commented on the bugs in the software, but has recommended that Windows users uninstall QuickTime, and posted instructions for doing so on their website. To uninstall, go to your Control Panel and click Programs, then click Programs and Features. Select QuickTime 7, and then click Uninstall. Depending on your settings, you may or may not need to enter your password. Your computer will take it from there.

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