Apple is finally giving up on QuickTime for Windows, but the company doesn’t plan to fix a few critical flaws that still linger with the software.
If for some reason you’re still using QuickTime for Windows, it would be a really good idea to just uninstall it right now.
The US Department of Homeland Security is advising all Windows users to uninstall QuickTime as soon as possible, after it was revealed that Apple no longer plans to issue security updates for the software.
Security firm Trend Micro recently discovered two serious vulnerabilities that will go unfixed, both of which could allow an attacker to take full control of a PC running QuickTime. The vulnerability does not effect QuickTime on Mac though.
There have been no reported uses of the vulnerability in the wild, however, that could easily change in the future. QuickTime for Windows is still available for direct download from Apple’s website, even though the software hasn’t been updated since January.
If you have been using iTunes on your PC you may be running QuickTime and need to uninstall. To do so, go Control Panel >> Category View >> Programs >> Uninstall a program. Select QuickTime, click uninstall, and you’ll finally be free.
Via: PCWorld
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
6 responses to “Windows users should delete QuickTime ASAP”
Totally expect someone to sue Apple over this.
It’s pretty shitty of them, eh?
Just fix the 2 known critical vulnerabilities then retire it…
Don’t tell me they can’t afford to keep a couple of devs on until then.
If they’re phasing out software, makes no sense to patch an expiring software. People will just continue using it until forever.
If I were to sue Microsoft for all the times where Windows hasn’t patched it’s vulnerabilities in a timely fashion, I would be a millionnaire! What am I saying, a billionaire! And Oracle (Java), and Abobe (flash), and…
“Windows users should delete QuickTime ASAP’
So… Windows users should delete Quicktime •quickly•.
Actually, Windows users should change to Macintosh ASAP. :)
If Trend Micro would simply have sent the result of their discovery to Apple, instead of shouting out loud to the entire world about those vulnerabilities (and by their own claim “they haven’t found any sign of activity exploit”) it might have pass under the radar and Apple could have patched it (I know Apple said it’s not supported, but they’re not stupid neither). Now that TM has advertized the weakness, it’s likely that hackers will use that exploit!!! Good work Trend Micro!! Very good work!