Security and Windows Media Player 9 Series
When you visit a Web site, play digital media content from the Internet, or store content or information on your computer, it is important to know whether your privacy is maintained and whether your computer is protected from virus attacks. Although the Internet provides new and exciting opportunities, it can also introduce risks to the security of your computer and any personal information stored on it. To maintain security and privacy, it is important to follow some basic guidelines:
- Only play and download content (including digital media files, skins, visualizations, and plug-ins) from Web sites that you trust.
- Read and understand a Web site's privacy policy before exchanging information (such as providing personal information).
- Understand your options for configuring Microsoft® Windows Media® Player and your computer to maintain security and privacy.
- Upgrade your computer with the latest security updates.
This page provides information about security features in Windows Media Player 9 Series and best practices for maintaining the security of your computer and personal information.
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Windows Media Player 9 Series has enhanced security features that enable you to protect the Player and your computer. The following options are available on the Security tab of the Options dialog box:
- Run script commands when present. This option specifies whether to allow URL and FILENAME script commands to run when you play digital media content that contains them. (When the Player reaches a URL script command during playback, the user's default Web browser displays the Web page that corresponds to the URL specified in the script command. When the Player reaches a FILENAME script command, the digital media file specified by the script command is opened.) Script commands can contain instructions that enhance the playback experience. For example, a script command may open your Internet browser and display a related Web page while the Player plays back content. However, digital media content may contain malicious script commands that attempt to perform unwanted actions on your computer. Web pages may also contain malicious script commands that run on your computer without your knowledge. This option is not selected by default. You can select this check box if you want to enable the script commands in the Player.
- Do not run script commands and rich media streams if the Player is running inside a Web page. This option specifies whether to allow URL and FILENAME script commands to run when you play digital media content that is embedded in a Web page. Note that selecting this option may prevent rich-media streams from running. Rich-media streams can contain HTML, a Microsoft PowerPoint® slide show, or digital media content. This option is not selected by default. You can select this check box if you want to prevent any script commands and rich-media streams from running in a Web page.
- Zone Settings. This command opens the Internet Options Security dialog box, which lists zone settings that control which types of content can be displayed in the Player. The Player uses the Internet zone settings for much of the HTML content that is displayed in the Player. You can change the Internet Explorer zone settings to control how content is displayed in Web pages in the Player and change the level of access that Web sites have to your computer. Note that changing settings may affect the operation of Player features or prevent information from being displayed. For example, if you disable active scripting in Internet Explorer, the Radio Tuner Web page will not be displayed correctly in the Player. Changes to the zone settings will also affect Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook®, Outlook Express, and any other programs that rely on the Internet Options security zones. For more information about zones and zone settings, see Internet Explorer Help.
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If your computer is running a version of the Windows® operating system that enables you to use different types of user accounts, such as administrator or standard accounts, your computer may be better protected if you log on using an account with limited privileges. Since users with administrator accounts can make system-wide changes to the computer, including installing and removing programs, adding and deleting operating system files, and accessing other users' passwords and Media Library databases, malicious programs or viruses can use this type of user account to access personal information. Users with nonadministrator accounts cannot allow programs and applications to be installed and run automatically, which could protect your computer from viruses. For more information about user accounts, see Windows Help.
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Working offline (disconnecting from the Internet) is the most secure mode in which to use the Player. Keep in mind, however, that many Player features are unavailable when you work offline. For example, if you are not connected to the Internet when you click Media Guide, the Player displays a page informing you that the computer must be connected to the Internet in order to use this feature.
For information about working offline and the Player features that require an Internet connection, see Windows Media Player Help.
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Maintaining your privacy is closely related to protecting your computer. Windows Media Player 9 Series offers a number of options for controlling the way in which the Player handles your private information. To better understand which Player settings affect your privacy, see Windows Media Player Help and the Player Privacy Statement.
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Microsoft is committed to delivering timely updates to help maintain the security of your computer. When security and privacy issues are discovered, Microsoft will make information and software patches available as quickly as possible. For the latest information and patches for your computer, see the main security and privacy page at the Microsoft Web site.
In addition, ensure that you understand the security features of Internet Explorer and install the latest security and privacy updates. To do so, see the Internet Explorer security page at the Microsoft Web site.
You can visit the Microsoft Windows Update Web site to install the latest service packs, device drivers, application compatibility updates, and security updates for your computer. Windows Update provides you with a tailored selection of updates that apply only to the software and hardware installed on your computer. Any update that Microsoft considers critical to the operation of your operating system, programs, or hardware is classified as a critical update and is automatically selected for you to install. Critical updates are provided to help resolve known issues and protect your computer from known security vulnerabilities. For more information about using Windows Update, see Windows Help.
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The Microsoft Security Response Center investigates all reports of security vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft products. If you believe you have found a security vulnerability affecting a Microsoft product, we'd like to work with you to investigate it. To report a security vulnerability, please contact the Microsoft Security Response Center.
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