Compatibility issue with MS Updates application and other questions

[George]

I have not been able to down load and install Microsoft
updates using the v5 installer since I installed MS
AntiSpyware. After weeks of waiting for a response from
the Microsoft help desk I started trying different
things. I finally disabled the AntiSpyware Agents that
monitor security check points. That allowed me to
download and install 10 of 11 back security updates.

Is this a documented feature of MS AntiSpyware that I
overlooked?

___________

Another issue. I use IntegrityOnline as my ISP. I use
their home page as my default home page on all accounts
on my home PC. Every time any family member logs on to
their account (Windows XP Pro) they get a pop-up from MS
AntiSpyware that says IntegrityOnline is trying to hijack
the homepage away from some Microsoft page. How do I get
MS AntiSpyware to recognize that IntegrityOnline is my
chosen, valid browser home page???

_________________

A third issue. I saw the article in the San Jose Mercury
News last week that said Microsoft is struggling with a
rogue spyware that is attempting to turn off or replace
MS AntiSpyware. On Feb 14 after the automated download
of MS AntiSpyware definitions I have no history of
Spyware found or of a "Last Spyware Scan". This is a bit
unnerving since I've run the scan at least 35 times. Has
the rogue replaced the valid MS AntiSpyware code? Are my
keystrokes now being read into a mafia database? Or did
Microsoft just replace the code and wipe out the history
in the last update without notifing us???

Call me at 650 857 3492 if you want details.

 

[John]

Try this to restore Windows Update function:

From a command prompt:
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc

(as recommended by Mark L. Ferguson)

Let us know if it works.

John

 

[George]

I was able to download and install all other critical
updates last night. I still cannot download the
following:
Security Update for Windows XP (KB890175)

I tried John's (Markl's) recommendation after stopping
the referenced service and after restarting it. This
made no difference.

Any comments regarding my other two issues???

Thanks.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

If you don't mention Microsoft Antispyware, free help for virus related or
security patch related issues is available from Microsoft PSS.

In the US or Canada dial 1-866-pcsafety.

Elsewhere, call the nearest Microsoft subsidiary. The call may not be free,
but equivalent free technical support is available.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Thoughts, such as they are, interspersed:
--
FAQ for Microsoft Antispyware:
http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm

I have not been able to down load and install Microsoft
updates using the v5 installer since I installed MS
AntiSpyware. After weeks of waiting for a response from
the Microsoft help desk I started trying different
things. I finally disabled the AntiSpyware Agents that
monitor security check points. That allowed me to
download and install 10 of 11 back security updates.

Is this a documented feature of MS AntiSpyware that I
overlooked?

This behavior isn't documented, and I can't recall others mentioning it.
I'd try removing Microsoft Antispyware, and reinstalling it.

Another issue. I use IntegrityOnline as my ISP. I use
their home page as my default home page on all accounts
on my home PC. Every time any family member logs on to
their account (Windows XP Pro) they get a pop-up from MS
AntiSpyware that says IntegrityOnline is trying to hijack
the homepage away from some Microsoft page. How do I get
MS AntiSpyware to recognize that IntegrityOnline is my
chosen, valid browser home page???

You may have to live with this behavior with this beta version. You can
disable the specific checkpoint giving this warning, but you will also be
giving up the protection it affords.

_________________

A third issue. I saw the article in the San Jose Mercury
News last week that said Microsoft is struggling with a
rogue spyware that is attempting to turn off or replace
MS AntiSpyware. On Feb 14 after the automated download
of MS AntiSpyware definitions I have no history of
Spyware found or of a "Last Spyware Scan". This is a bit
unnerving since I've run the scan at least 35 times. Has
the rogue replaced the valid MS AntiSpyware code? Are my
keystrokes now being read into a mafia database? Or did
Microsoft just replace the code and wipe out the history
in the last update without notifing us???

Microsoft Antispyware is meant to keep your keystrokes out of that mafia
database.

This is also one I haven't heard before. You can manually chose to truncate
the scan history, which would have this effect. The trojan that the
newspaper article mentioned isn't widely distributed, and simply disables
Microsoft Antispyware--nothing as subtle as modifying its behavior or
replacing it.

 

[John]

Are you using McAfee software of any kind?

I was able to download and install all other critical
updates last night. I still cannot download the
following:
Security Update for Windows XP (KB890175)

I tried John's (Markl's) recommendation after stopping
the referenced service and after restarting it. This
made no difference.

Any comments regarding my other two issues???

Thanks.

 

[Steve Dodson [MSFT]]

I have not seen the issue where installing the beta keeps users from
downloading critical updates. I bet that since I have not heard anything
that something else is going on there. Let us know what you find out.

--
-steve

Steve Dodson [MSFT]
MCSE, CISSP
PSS Security

--

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm

Note: For the benefit of the community-at-large, all responses to this
message are best directed to the newsgroup/thread from which they
originated.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

hmm - George is anonymous except for having posted his phone number!
I'd love to hear how he made out myself, but I'm not sure I should call him.

Hmmm---650 857 appears to be Palo Alto, and perhaps Hewlett Packard.
--
FAQ for Microsoft Antispyware:
http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm

I have not seen the issue where installing the beta keeps users from
downloading critical updates. I bet that since I have not heard anything
that something else is going on there. Let us know what you find out.

--
-steve

Steve Dodson [MSFT]
MCSE, CISSP
PSS Security

--

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm

Note: For the benefit of the community-at-large, all responses to this
message are best directed to the newsgroup/thread from which they
originated.

Thoughts, such as they are, interspersed:
--
FAQ for Microsoft Antispyware:
http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm



This behavior isn't documented, and I can't recall others mentioning it.
I'd try removing Microsoft Antispyware, and reinstalling it.


You may have to live with this behavior with this beta version. You can
disable the specific checkpoint giving this warning, but you will also be
giving up the protection it affords.


Microsoft Antispyware is meant to keep your keystrokes out of that mafia
database.

This is also one I haven't heard before. You can manually chose to
truncate the scan history, which would have this effect. The trojan that
the newspaper article mentioned isn't widely distributed, and simply
disables Microsoft Antispyware--nothing as subtle as modifying its
behavior or replacing it.