Strange Update

[Jeff Barnett]

I'm running XP Pro SP3. My update settings are to notify me and critical
updates only. I did not read the update list closely before I downloaded
and started an install this evening. I saw, much to my surprise, as the
updates were installing that a new version of Skype was being placed on
my computer.

Any idea why that was included in the critical (= security needed I
suppose) set of updates.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

I'm running XP Pro SP3. My update settings are to notify me and critical
updates only. I did not read the update list closely before I downloaded
and started an install this evening. I saw, much to my surprise, as the
updates were installing that a new version of Skype was being placed on
my computer.

Any idea why that was included in the critical (= security needed I
suppose) set of updates.

I don't know if you are aware but Microsoft now owns Skype, and as such
now delivers critical security patches for Skype along with their other
products.

 

[philo]

It was not a Windows update,

But a Skype update,
for in your Skype you have Auto update on for New version of Skype.

In your Skype setup turn off,
Auto update....
--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: (e-mail address removed) ---

I get in my "shop" a lot of machines for updating
and recently I noticed that when I performed a Windows update
a non-Microsoft-specific update was included.
At least I saw it happen once

 

[Paul]

I don't know if you are aware but Microsoft now owns Skype, and as such
now delivers critical security patches for Skype along with their other
products.

The latest version of Skype is apparently a replacement for
Windows Live Messenger. And has been "promoted" to a status
a bit higher than other ordinary applications. At least,
that's what I could find when looking around.

http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/microsoft-integrates-windows-live-messenger-with-skype/

Is it acceptable behavior to deliver Skype as if it was
a security patch ? Nope.

Paul

 

[Jeff Barnett]

The latest version of Skype is apparently a replacement for
Windows Live Messenger. And has been "promoted" to a status
a bit higher than other ordinary applications. At least,
that's what I could find when looking around.

http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/microsoft-integrates-windows-live-messenger-with-skype/


Is it acceptable behavior to deliver Skype as if it was
a security patch ? Nope.

Paul

To Zaphod and Paul,

Thanks for the informed responses. I didn't know that Skype had been
acquired. Interesting. Of course MS overstepped a thin line somewhere
with the update but at least I know it wasn't some serious intrusion
from a new player!

 

[philoÂ]

Over the years I've had a number of third party updates shown on the
MS update site. NVIDIA, Realtek & Samsung come to mind right now.

Yes,,,maybe recently was simply the first time I noticed it

 

[Paul]

Over the years I've had a number of third party updates shown on the
MS update site. NVIDIA, Realtek & Samsung come to mind right now.

Those are driver updates.

Generally, accepting those is not recommended.

I've *never* allowed those onto the computer. If you check
the newsgroups, there is no upside to those drivers. In
terms of properly tested and vetted drivers, you're better
off getting them directly from NVidia, Realtek or whoever.

These are the ones I've never accepted on my current computer.

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6785/wuhardware.gif

Paul