On March 14, 2023, Microsoft disclosed a vulnerability impacting Microsoft Outlook. The advisory indicated that this vulnerability has been exploited in the wild, meaning it has been found on the devices of ordinary users.
What is a vulnerability?
A vulnerability is a weakness that can be exploited by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to a computer system. After exploiting a vulnerability, a cyberattack can run malicious code, install software, and steal sensitive data.
Protecting your systems and applications from vulnerabilities protects both Queen’s and your personal data from the risk of cyberattack.
What do I need to do?
To protect your systems and applications from vulnerabilities, immediately ensure you are operating the most recent version of Office. To get started, check out Microsoft’s instructions for updating your applications, select your operating system, and follow the steps for “Newer versions of Office" as indicated in the image below:
I am unable to install updates for my applications.
If you receive the message “Updates are managed by your system administrator” when attempting to update your applications, please take the following actions:
- Leave your computer on and connected to the internet for several hours.
- Restart your computer.
If you now see the message “Updates are automatically downloaded and installed” when updating your applications, please proceed with the steps from Microsoft.
If the option to update is still missing, or if you are unable to install the most recent version of Office applications on your device, please contact the IT Support Centre by filling out an Online Help Form or by calling (613)533-6666 during regular business hours.