Microsoft to force Windows updates?

[Rick]

Interesting. Can you maybe elaborate a bit more on the relationship
between proprietary software and security? Why is it necessarily
insecure?

The blaster worm is the most recent in a steady stream of examples.
Whoever wrote this worm discovered the RPC buffer overrun (and
the resulting vulnerability) before MS's own engineers did. In an
open source OS like Linux such problems rarely if ever occur,
because the source code is available to everyone. Somebody,
somewhere in the world would have discovered this problem in the
source code, reported it, and it would have been corrected long
before it became a security threat in a production environment.

Given enough time, Microsoft might be able to patch Windows to
a point where it is reasonably secure, but meanwhile the corporate
world is stuck with perpetually compromised security. MS's record
in this regard speaks for itself.

Rick

 

[Testy]

While I do agree in principle, I also feel that the users also bear some
responsibility here. I currently have about 18 uninstalled updates and have
no intention of ever installing SP2.

I am unaffected by any virus, had no problems with Blaster. My system runs
fast, never crashes and has absolutely NO problems at all.

I have a good router/firewall, an excellent up to date AV. I don't visit
porn sites nor download any programs from the internet except from reputable
publishers and do not open attachments in e-mails without scanning them
and/or knowing who they are from.

I have never been infected with a virus, have no spyware and am completely
happy with my system as it is.

I feel if users took a few simple precautions and used a little more common
sense most problems would not occur,

That being said an average user with little or no knowledge SHOULD keep
their computer updated and also take the time to educate themselves a bit
more.

Testy

 

[stan]

Interesting. Can you maybe elaborate a bit more on the relationship
between proprietary software and security? Why is it necessarily
insecure?

Only a handful of people in the world have access to the Windows source
code. This means that only a limited group can fix problems. Everyone who
wants access to Linux and Mac OS X source code can easily get it. This
means there are more eyes watching the OS and thus, more opportunity to
find security bugs and actually fix them. Windows users are at the mercy
of Microsoft to acknowledge and fix software problems.

I work in a university with a mix of just about all types of computers.
Far and away, the most troublesome are Windows PCs. For example, the Mac
on my desk has the same Internet access that the Windows XP PC on my desk
does. The Mac has never been hacked, the Windows machine ...

 

[Greg P Rozelle]

I thought Mac Os X source code is proprietary os
is that the ealier Mac os?

I know apple makes thier own computers,
they tried third party for awhile and didn't work.

I think this is the reason Mac Os is more secure,
it because they make the system.

You Also, need different hardware for a Mac Os.

Greg P Rozelle

Only a handful of people in the world have access to the Windows source
code. This means that only a limited group can fix problems. Everyone who
wants access to Linux and Mac OS X source code can easily get it. This
means there are more eyes watching the OS and thus, more opportunity to
find security bugs and actually fix them. Windows users are at the mercy
of Microsoft to acknowledge and fix software problems.
I work in a university with a mix of just about all types of computers.
Far and away, the most troublesome are Windows PCs. For example, the Mac
on my desk has the same Internet access that the Windows XP PC on my desk
does. The Mac has never been hacked, the Windows machine ...

Disclaimer
My advice is as-is. It could trash your system.

 

[Greg P Rozelle]

corrected post
I thought Mac Os X source code is proprietary or
is that the ealier Mac os?

I know apple makes thier own computers,
they tried third party for awhile and didn't work.

I think this is the reason Mac Os is more secure,
it because they make the system.

You Also, need different hardware for a Mac Os.

Greg P Rozelle

Only a handful of people in the world have access to the Windows source
code. This means that only a limited group can fix problems. Everyone who
wants access to Linux and Mac OS X source code can easily get it. This
means there are more eyes watching the OS and thus, more opportunity to
find security bugs and actually fix them. Windows users are at the mercy
of Microsoft to acknowledge and fix software problems.
I work in a university with a mix of just about all types of computers.
Far and away, the most troublesome are Windows PCs. For example, the Mac
on my desk has the same Internet access that the Windows XP PC on my desk
does. The Mac has never been hacked, the Windows machine ...

Disclaimer
My advice is as-is. It could trash your system.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Steve <[email protected]> wrote in message


How can they do that? Make the operating system malfunction unless the
update is regularly installed?

Thats what happens with my PC anyway. Maybe they have got it working
already?

 

[The Green Troll]

By international law,
soverignties are technically, and unfortunately, allow to do what they
please to their own people.

Is that true? Where is it written?

The UN is too weak to handle the job. Someone should have been able to
stop Bush in his tracks and continue the inspections. Someone should
be able to protect our freedom when it is threatened by the
government. Someone should have investigated the 2000 election in
Florida.

NEWSFLASH! When you plan to go to war against a weaker country, you better
make sure that you have confirmed your facts, before you present them.

When you go to war against a stronger country, can you throw caution
to the wind?

-- Buster <http://www.rev.net/~aloe/politics>

 

[The Green Troll]

How do they force it? Maybe you should check your settings to make sure
your not having it automatically update.

Settings on what? PS/1 Fitness?

I've been receiving Microsoft updates as e-mail through Eudora. I
can't figure out how to open the attachments, so they just sit there.

-- Nom de Plume <http://www.rev.net/~aloe/couchpotato>

 

[kurttrail]

Is that true? Where is it written?

It's the way things are, or perhaps you'd prefer anarchy with Uzis?

The UN is too weak to handle the job. Someone should have been able to
stop Bush in his tracks and continue the inspections. Someone should
be able to protect our freedom when it is threatened by the
government. Someone should have investigated the 2000 election in
Florida.

It was! GWB stole the Election thanks to some partisan justices on the
US Supreme Court, and no one really seemed to cared at the time.

When you go to war against a stronger country, can you throw caution
to the wind?

When you go to war against a stronger country, aren't you, almost by
definition, throwing all caution to the wind to begin with?

--
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!"

 

[PCyr]

See Below

--
Check out http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com for amazing tweaks and fixes

Member of "Newsgroups are for everyone"

5 Steps to computer safety:
1) Use a good quality anti-virus, and keep it up-to-date.
2) Use a firewall. The one in XP works fine, but there are better ones out
there.
3) Keep Windows up-to-date. It's your choice whether or not you want the
recommended updates, but the critical updates are just that - critical.
4) Beware of adware and spyware. There are many programs that will help to
protect your computer, but it's up to you to prevent it as well. Make sure
you read the agreement of the software before you install it. It should
tell you if it will be installing any additional programs.
5) Be cautious of attachments. Microsoft NEVER sends out attachments via
email. Always scan all attachments before opening them.

Email address is fake to prevent SPAM.
Real email address is pcyr2000 AT hotmail DOT com
Change the obvious to the obvious.
------------------

"PCyr" <[email protected]> wrote in message

Settings on what? PS/1 Fitness?

No... automatic update settings is the System properties.

I've been receiving Microsoft updates as e-mail through Eudora. I
can't figure out how to open the attachments, so they just sit there.

Where have you been for the last 5 years? MS *NEVER* sends out updates as
attachements in emails. It is a virus. I guess it's a good thing you can't
open it.

 

[sipowtiz_00]

Every one of these bug, worms goes after M$. My next machine WILL be a
Mac! Fact.

If everyone switches to Macs than they will build viruses and worms
that affect Macs. The Mac is only more secure because there aren't
enough of them to bother with. Considering the usual cluelessness of
Mac users they should be ripe for exploting.

Andrew

 

[sipowtiz_00]

Clearly, you're not an IT pro.

No Kurt is an IT Troll.

Andrew

 

[sipowtiz_00]

OSX is extremely stable and impervious to crappola like
blaster worms and assorted virus infestations.

And you have documentation of this? Or are you just flapping your
lips?

Unix variants are just as susceptible to worms and viruses as windows.
And they have plenty of security holes. Some built right in.

Andrew

 

[sipowtiz_00]

LOL! Nothing like a bunch of geeks trying to act like tough guys, from
the relative safety of their homes!

Well you're the prime example.

Andrew

 

[sipowtiz_00]

Some people really need to shield themselves
from the truth

The Truth? You wouldn't know the truth if it was rammed up your ass
and into that pimple of a brain that resides there.

Andrew

 

[sipowtiz_00]

Go right ahead, because I'm always gonna "inflict" my version of the
truth in my posts.

Liars and trolls are like that.

Andrew

 

[kurttrail]

Well you're the prime example.

And how am I trying to act like a tough guy?

--
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!"

 

[kurttrail]

Liars and trolls are like that.

No, a liar wouldn't even acknowledge any other truth other than their
own. And you are the one that's acting like the troll, Andy.

--
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!"

 

[Greg P Rozelle]

You mean like Linux that recently had its source code seriously
compromised by hackers who had gained access to the servers it was
stored on?

andrew

Linux developer said it was not very likely to get viruses.
Limited Access to the root account is one major reason.
Also, because of this the virus could not spread.
Yes, it could spread if uses use's the root account to do
everything. This is why most Linuxes system make your
create a user besides the root user.

Greg Rozelle


Disclaimer
My advice is as-is. It could trash your system.

 

[kurttrail]

The Truth?
Yes!

You wouldn't know the truth if it was rammed up your ass
and into that pimple of a brain that resides there.

I prefer taking my truth orally!

--
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!"