Microsoft releases two optional security updates Tuesday to block digital certificates that use the MD5 hashing algorithm. The MD5 cryptographic hash function has long been considered insecure for use in SSL certificates and digital signatures. The first update blocks certificates with MD5 signatures that were signed by Certificate Authority (CA) certificates in the Microsoft root certificate program from being used for server authentication, code signing and time stamping. The second update is known as KB2861855 and improves the network-level authentication for the Remote Desktop Protocol.”]