Spare yourself some of the agony I’ve experienced in the past four days. Update your Windows now!

Microsoft Corp. acknowledged a critical vulnerability Wednesday in nearly all versions of its flagship Windows operating system software, the first such design flaw to affect its latest Windows Server 2003 software.

Microsoft said the vulnerability could allow hackers to seize control of a victim’s Windows computer over the Internet, stealing data, deleting files or eavesdropping on e-mails. The company urged customers to immediately apply a free software repairing patch available from Microsoft’s Web site.

Now, let me repeat that: vulnerability is not limited to Windows 2003; it’s merely the first flaw (of what will no doubt turn into many) discovered in Windows 2003. The flaw affects every Windows operating system. So get thee to Microsoft’s Security page and update now.

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