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Security Update, January 31, 2001

This update resolves the "Winsock Mutex" security vulnerability in Windows NT® 4.0, and is discussed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-003. Download now to help prevent a malicious user from running a special program to disable your network functionality.

This vulnerability exists because the mutex (a tool to prevent more than one process from accessing certain resources at the same time) that is used to control access to networking resources has inappropriately loose permissions. As a result, a malicious user with physical access to a Windows NT 4.0 computer could write a program to gain control of the mutex and deny access to all other users. By denying access to the mutex, the malicious user's program could prevent any other programs from using the networking functions of the affected computer. This update corrects the inappropriate permissions of the affected mutex.

For more information about this vulnerability, please read Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-003. (This site is in English.)

System Requirements
This update applies to Windows NT 4.0.

How to use
Restart your computer to complete the installation.

How to uninstall

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select Windows 4.0 Hotfix [See Q279336 for more information] and click Add/Remove Programs to uninstall.

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