K
kurttrail
Because of the events of the last week, many people haven been frighten
into installing Windows Updates in record numbers, and, as anyone can
anecdotally see by leafing through these XP Groups, people are
experiencing numerous problems with the updates. It's time to stop
scaring people into blindly installing WinUpdates in a mad rush, and
start teaching "Common Sense Computing" practices, because there is no
such thing as Safe or "Trustworthy Computing!"
WinUpdates aren't all that critical, if you have a good firewall,
updated AV, and use your common sense. WinUpdates are like playing
Russian Roulette, eventually someone pulls the trigger, and finds that
the chamber ain't empty.
Fundamentals of "Common Sense Computing"
1.) Firewall between your computer/network and your internet
connection. And having a software firewall on your computer, in
addition, is even better!
2.) Keep your AV up-to-date! Keep your AV up-to-date! Keep your AV
up-to-date!
3.) Use your common sense! Stay away from high risk activities, like
file-sharing, porn sites, not opening up email attachments from friends
and family, unless you're expecting them in advance, reading before you
click on any pop-up, . . . . the list goes on & on.
3a.) Do WinUpdates on a regular basis, but not en masse, so it will
be easier to figure out what update actually screwed up, when it happens
to you. I'd get used to developing a relationship WinUpdate and reading
a group like this, so that you can hear about any problems that can &
have happened with MS updates, before you install them. [I didn't give
doing WinUpdates a number of it's own, because it really is only a part
of using your common sense.]
If you are far behind in your updates, Pre-SP1, then have a plan before
you start installing WinUpdates. If you haven't already, install the
RPC patch!
Direct-Download for the RPC/DCOM patch -
http://microsoft.com/downloads/deta...6C-C5B6-44AC-9532-3DE40F69C074&displaylang=en
Once you have the RPC/DCOM hole closed, start your planning for
installing SP1. Don't do the Express install of SP-1 from WinUpdate, do
the administrator install. It's a very large download, if you don't
have broadband, ask a friend that does, if they could burn you a copy of
SP1, if you gave them a blank CD. People helped out strangers during
the Blackout in the Northeastern US & Southeastern Canada, and friends
should help out their friends though this web disaster!
Direct-Download for Windows XP Service Pack 1a Network Installation -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/4/f/54f8bcf8-bb4d-4613-8ee7-db69d01735ed/xpsp1a_en_x86.exe
Even after successfully installing SP1, I'd recommend staying away from
Windows Update for catching up with the post-SP1 Updates.
Windows XP Post-SP1 Hotfixes -
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...ServicePacks/Windows/XP/Post-SP1_Hotfixes.asp
Direct Download Alternatives to Windows Update for all Critical Updates:
1.) Windows Update Catalog -
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp or,
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true
2.) MS's Security Bulletins Archive -
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/archive.asp
There is a couple of other things to consider before catching up with
your updates. One of the recent updates fixed a flaw in MDAC.
WinUpdate offers to patch the existing MDAC on your computer, but not
the latest version that doesn't have the flaw.
Direct-Download for Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/f/cdfd58f1-3973-4c51-8851-49ae3777586f/MDAC_TYP.EXE
Then there is the DirectX flaw, which WinUpdate gives you both the patch
to the version already installed on your computer, and the newest
version without the flaw.
Direct-Download for DirectX 9.0b Redistributable for Software
Developers -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/9/c/c9c8a1d4-7690-4c98-baf3-0c67e7f3751f/dx90b_redist.exe
Starting to see a theme building here? Whenever possible don't trust
WinUpdate, but do the direct downloads, and install a patch at a time,
and install new versions without the discovered flaw, over just patching
the flawed versions already on your computer. Before beginning the
manual installation process, disconnect from the internet, create a
restore point, and turn off your AV's real-time scanning. Somebody
always has problems with any patch, no matter how well written it is, or
not, and especially at this time of very heavy traffic on WinUpdate,
doing direct-downloads just makes common sense.
There is not now or will there ever be any such thing as Safe or
"Trustworthy Computing." Don't rely on any one company, or technology
to protect your computing environment. It's the virtual Wild West out
there, and the only thing you can trust is your own common sense, with
maybe a little help from your friends.
--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.kurttrail.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
into installing Windows Updates in record numbers, and, as anyone can
anecdotally see by leafing through these XP Groups, people are
experiencing numerous problems with the updates. It's time to stop
scaring people into blindly installing WinUpdates in a mad rush, and
start teaching "Common Sense Computing" practices, because there is no
such thing as Safe or "Trustworthy Computing!"
WinUpdates aren't all that critical, if you have a good firewall,
updated AV, and use your common sense. WinUpdates are like playing
Russian Roulette, eventually someone pulls the trigger, and finds that
the chamber ain't empty.
Fundamentals of "Common Sense Computing"
1.) Firewall between your computer/network and your internet
connection. And having a software firewall on your computer, in
addition, is even better!
2.) Keep your AV up-to-date! Keep your AV up-to-date! Keep your AV
up-to-date!
3.) Use your common sense! Stay away from high risk activities, like
file-sharing, porn sites, not opening up email attachments from friends
and family, unless you're expecting them in advance, reading before you
click on any pop-up, . . . . the list goes on & on.
3a.) Do WinUpdates on a regular basis, but not en masse, so it will
be easier to figure out what update actually screwed up, when it happens
to you. I'd get used to developing a relationship WinUpdate and reading
a group like this, so that you can hear about any problems that can &
have happened with MS updates, before you install them. [I didn't give
doing WinUpdates a number of it's own, because it really is only a part
of using your common sense.]
If you are far behind in your updates, Pre-SP1, then have a plan before
you start installing WinUpdates. If you haven't already, install the
RPC patch!
Direct-Download for the RPC/DCOM patch -
http://microsoft.com/downloads/deta...6C-C5B6-44AC-9532-3DE40F69C074&displaylang=en
Once you have the RPC/DCOM hole closed, start your planning for
installing SP1. Don't do the Express install of SP-1 from WinUpdate, do
the administrator install. It's a very large download, if you don't
have broadband, ask a friend that does, if they could burn you a copy of
SP1, if you gave them a blank CD. People helped out strangers during
the Blackout in the Northeastern US & Southeastern Canada, and friends
should help out their friends though this web disaster!
Direct-Download for Windows XP Service Pack 1a Network Installation -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/4/f/54f8bcf8-bb4d-4613-8ee7-db69d01735ed/xpsp1a_en_x86.exe
Even after successfully installing SP1, I'd recommend staying away from
Windows Update for catching up with the post-SP1 Updates.
Windows XP Post-SP1 Hotfixes -
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...ServicePacks/Windows/XP/Post-SP1_Hotfixes.asp
Direct Download Alternatives to Windows Update for all Critical Updates:
1.) Windows Update Catalog -
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp or,
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true
2.) MS's Security Bulletins Archive -
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/archive.asp
There is a couple of other things to consider before catching up with
your updates. One of the recent updates fixed a flaw in MDAC.
WinUpdate offers to patch the existing MDAC on your computer, but not
the latest version that doesn't have the flaw.
Direct-Download for Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/f/cdfd58f1-3973-4c51-8851-49ae3777586f/MDAC_TYP.EXE
Then there is the DirectX flaw, which WinUpdate gives you both the patch
to the version already installed on your computer, and the newest
version without the flaw.
Direct-Download for DirectX 9.0b Redistributable for Software
Developers -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/9/c/c9c8a1d4-7690-4c98-baf3-0c67e7f3751f/dx90b_redist.exe
Starting to see a theme building here? Whenever possible don't trust
WinUpdate, but do the direct downloads, and install a patch at a time,
and install new versions without the discovered flaw, over just patching
the flawed versions already on your computer. Before beginning the
manual installation process, disconnect from the internet, create a
restore point, and turn off your AV's real-time scanning. Somebody
always has problems with any patch, no matter how well written it is, or
not, and especially at this time of very heavy traffic on WinUpdate,
doing direct-downloads just makes common sense.
There is not now or will there ever be any such thing as Safe or
"Trustworthy Computing." Don't rely on any one company, or technology
to protect your computing environment. It's the virtual Wild West out
there, and the only thing you can trust is your own common sense, with
maybe a little help from your friends.
--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.kurttrail.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"