Are Updates dangerous!
in [Windows XP]
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From: (PeteCresswell) on 13 Feb 2010 16:23 Per Saucy: >An unpatched rtm Windows XP will be infected within minutes if connected >directly to the Internet: > >http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/262 But that's an "unprotected PC" - which I take to mean one with no anti-virus software installed and not running behind whatever kind of router offers some protection.... or did I read it wrong? -- PeteCresswell
From: (PeteCresswell) on 13 Feb 2010 16:27 Per Shenan Stanley: >What's the situation? Where is this computer, what is it used for? Mostly home use: email, word processing. Some VBA development, but most of the time I Remote into a box at the client's site to do development. I posed the question because after applying SP3, I had problems Remote Desktopping over a VPN to a client site. Called their support desk and they said they found SP3 tb problematic in that area. Didn't turn out tb the cause (I was using the wrong router and that was the cause)... but their comment got me thinking that there seems tb negative exposure in applying MS fixes... and I was wondering if anybody had actually had a problem because they did *not* apply a fix. -- PeteCresswell
From: Unknown on 13 Feb 2010 16:43 He was correct-------you are paranoid. "joe" <joe(a)ebox.com> wrote in message news:uYc7ZBOrKHA.732(a)TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > This is more of what I would have expected from you PA. I kmow you are > heavily involved with update queries and apreciate you taking the time to > respond. I still feel nervous about the whole update issue after this > little hicup. > > > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP(a)gmail.com> wrote in message > news:%23$%230XoMrKHA.4752(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> Sorry, it's been a long week in the trenches dealing with those >> BSOD/KB977165 issues here. >> >>>>> Firstly, why did my update install perfectly when so many others had >>>>> this >>>>> huge problem? Was I just lucky? >> >> Luck had nothing to do with it. Practicing 'Safe Hex' did: It's >> beginning to look like the vast majority of these BSODs were caused by >> hijackware infections, primarily W32/Alureon-variants. >> >>>>> Has this kind of thing happened before with bad updates? >> >> If your computer's security was compromised, yes. >> >>>>> Can I feel safe in downloading these updates automatically. >> >> Very generally speaking, yes. Should you ever need assistance... >> >> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY >> (and/or 1-866-234-6020 and/or 1-800-936-5700) in the United States and in >> Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft subsidiary. There is >> no-charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. >> When you call, clearly state that your problem is related to a Security >> Update and cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB999999). >> >> Or you can... >> >> Start a free Windows Update support incident request: >> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527 >> >> Consumer Security Support home page & Microsoft Update Solution Center >> also offer support options >> https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/ >> http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab3 >> >> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary >> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web >> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx >> -- >> ~PA Bear >> >> joe wrote: >>> What kind of response is that? >>> >>>> How long have you been so paranoid? >>>> >>>> joe wrote: >>>>> I have win xp pro sp3 >>>>> >>>>> I lived in a remote area without internet access so never did any >>>>> updates >>>>> other than the service packs, no internet no threats :-) >>>>> I now have broadband and am fully up to date with all Microsoft >>>>> updates. >>>>> >>>>> However this latest problem with KB977165 has really scared me. I am >>>>> not >>>>> too >>>>> happy about using the recovery tool and how would I have found out the >>>>> solution anyway without a pc to access the Internet? ( I am still in a >>>>> remote area with no other pc's around ) >>>>> >>>>> So I have a couple of questions for the experts here. >>>>> >>>>> Firstly, why did my update install perfectly when so many others had >>>>> this >>>>> huge problem? Was I just lucky? >>>>> >>>>> Has this kind of thing happened before with bad updates? >>>>> >>>>> Can I feel safe in downloading these updates automatically. >>>>> >>>>> I would feel much better if you guys could give me the benefit of your >>>>> experience. >>>>> >>>>> TIA >> > >
From: PA Bear [MS MVP] on 13 Feb 2010 18:38 cf. http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/browse_frm/thread/a3b667a339eac072 joe wrote: > This is more of what I would have expected from you PA. I kmow you are > heavily involved with update queries and apreciate you taking the time to > respond. I still feel nervous about the whole update issue after this > little > hicup. > > > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP(a)gmail.com> wrote in message > news:%23$%230XoMrKHA.4752(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> Sorry, it's been a long week in the trenches dealing with those >> BSOD/KB977165 issues here. >> >>>>> Firstly, why did my update install perfectly when so many others had >>>>> this >>>>> huge problem? Was I just lucky? >> >> Luck had nothing to do with it. Practicing 'Safe Hex' did: It's >> beginning >> to look like the vast majority of these BSODs were caused by hijackware >> infections, primarily W32/Alureon-variants. >> >>>>> Has this kind of thing happened before with bad updates? >> >> If your computer's security was compromised, yes. >> >>>>> Can I feel safe in downloading these updates automatically. >> >> Very generally speaking, yes. Should you ever need assistance... >> >> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY >> (and/or 1-866-234-6020 and/or 1-800-936-5700) in the United States and in >> Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft subsidiary. There is >> no-charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. >> When you call, clearly state that your problem is related to a Security >> Update and cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB999999). >> >> Or you can... >> >> Start a free Windows Update support incident request: >> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527 >> >> Consumer Security Support home page & Microsoft Update Solution Center >> also offer support options >> https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/ >> http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab3 >> >> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary >> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web >> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx >> -- >> ~PA Bear >> >> joe wrote: >>> What kind of response is that? >>> >>>> How long have you been so paranoid? >>>> >>>> joe wrote: >>>>> I have win xp pro sp3 >>>>> >>>>> I lived in a remote area without internet access so never did any >>>>> updates >>>>> other than the service packs, no internet no threats :-) >>>>> I now have broadband and am fully up to date with all Microsoft >>>>> updates. >>>>> >>>>> However this latest problem with KB977165 has really scared me. I am >>>>> not >>>>> too >>>>> happy about using the recovery tool and how would I have found out the >>>>> solution anyway without a pc to access the Internet? ( I am still in a >>>>> remote area with no other pc's around ) >>>>> >>>>> So I have a couple of questions for the experts here. >>>>> >>>>> Firstly, why did my update install perfectly when so many others had >>>>> this >>>>> huge problem? Was I just lucky? >>>>> >>>>> Has this kind of thing happened before with bad updates? >>>>> >>>>> Can I feel safe in downloading these updates automatically. >>>>> >>>>> I would feel much better if you guys could give me the benefit of your >>>>> experience. >>>>> >>>>> TIA
From: 20100214 on 14 Feb 2010 03:38
Yes I can confidently say that M$ updates are a complete and utter waste of time. They are an added extra and are optional. If you have Windows XP with SP3 installed then you would be completely protected if you follow the following: 1) In Windows firewall settings, In the General Tab, make sure ON is ticked and also "Don't allow exceptions" is ticked 2) On exceptions tab, remove tabs against everything; You don't need to allow any exceptions; 3) On Advanced tab, click on Restore default button. Ideally you should start with 3, then 2 and then 1. Although in 1 you have disallowed all exceptions, I wouldn't trust it because I have come across circumstances where M$ software failed horribly. I have not installed any updates post SP3 and have no intentions of installing any of them. hth "joe" <joe(a)ebox.com> wrote in message news:%23xpodq%23qKHA.5896(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >I have win xp pro sp3 > > I lived in a remote area without internet access so never did any updates > other than the service packs, no internet no threats :-) > I now have broadband and am fully up to date with all Microsoft updates. > > However this latest problem with KB977165 has really scared me. I am not > too happy about using the recovery tool and how would I have found out the > solution anyway without a pc to access the Internet? ( I am still in a > remote area with no other pc's around ) > > So I have a couple of questions for the experts here. > > Firstly, why did my update install perfectly when so many others had this > huge problem? Was I just lucky? > > Has this kind of thing happened before with bad updates? > > Can I feel safe in downloading these updates automatically. > > I would feel much better if you guys could give me the benefit of your > experience. > > TIA > > |