The Windows version of Apple’s Safari 3 public beta Web browser received its first update only three days after it was originally released. Security analysts quickly uncovered several potential threats that Apple addressed with this update.
Safari 3.0.1 beta for Windows addresses security threats that could potential allow a malicious attacker to execute arbitrary code on a user’s PC, execute unauthorized JavaScripts, or cause Safari to crash. These security threats are not issues for the Mac OS X version of the Safari 3 beta.
Within hours of the public beta’s release on Monday, reports began to surface about bugs and security problems with Safari 3 for Windows. Although most security researchers recognized that Safari 3 is a public beta, many other users reacted as if it was a final shipping product – potentially damaging Apple’s image with Windows users. Apple quick response, however, may help to alleviate Windows user concerns.
Windows XP and Vista users looking to upgrade to the latest Safari 3 beta can use the Apple Software Update application that is installed with iTunes and QuickTime for Windows. The new version is also available as a download from the Apple Web site.