Microsoft to share more security information

Facing countless and unending security issues, Microsoft this week announced a new initiative to help IT administrators evaluate vulnerabilities in the company's software and to share that information with other security vendors.

The Microsoft Exploitability Index, as it is known, is aimed at helping business professionals prioritize patching. But Informationweek.com notes that it is really an attempt to deal with an unfortunate problem: "Microsoft issues a Security Bulletin and cybercriminals answer with code designed to exploit the newly disclosed vulnerabilities.''

Under the new plan starting in October, Microsoft will rate the likelihood that vulnerabilities will be exploited based on three designations: Consistent Exploit Code Likely, Inconsistent Exploit Code Likely, and Functioning Exploit Code Unlikely. Whether this will help remains to be seen. Some experts said it all depends on the accuracy of the information provided by Microsoft.

For more on Microsoft:
 - see this informationweek.com article