FBI Now Supports Fix for Windows

The FBI has reversed its advice for computer users trying to protect themselves against flaws in the latest version of Windows: Applying the free fix from Microsoft Corp. is adequate, after all.

The bureau’s top cyber-security unit, the National Infrastructure Protection Center, told consumers and companies to disregard its earlier advice to exceed Microsoft’s recommendations to protect against hackers who might try to attack Windows computers.

The FBI said it based its latest determination “upon a careful on a review of the written technical materials provided by Microsoft, and after working with the federally funded CERT Coordination Center, staffed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.

The FBI acknowledged that neither it nor experts at CERT, previously known as the computer emergency response team, had independently tested Microsoft’s solution. But the FBI said, “We are satisfied that it corrects the problem ... and affords substantial and adequate protection.”