Another CRITICAL Windows Update

[FOBAgain]

Just thought you'd all like to know that Micro$oft announced another critical update today. It supposedly fixes a problem VERY similar to the one that Blaster exploited. Since I noticed a few of you on here were hit by that one, I thought this might be helpful.

[DogStarMan]

If you haven't done this already, activate your Windows Update utility. Then, you shouldn't have to worry about these critical updates because they'll automatically install when you connect to the Internet.

[alternachild]

I don't see why anyone would turn off their Windows Update utility.

[DogStarMan]

Well, there's always that fear that the patch you download could be buggy and screw your system up. I have about 40 PCs running Windows Update and I haven't had a problem with any of the patches, but I remember back in the NT days when Service Packs would hose my servers.

Also, over a dial up connection, the download takes forever and slows your surfing down to a crawl. I have a dial up from home and when it starts updateing, I pretty much have to walk away from the computer for about an hour.

[FOBAgain]

I have mine set up to download the updates and notify me of them, but not install them until I choose which updates I want installed. It's one small way that I like to pretend I'm maintaining control of my PC from MS :rolleyes:

[alternachild]

Originally posted by DogStarMan
Well, there's always that fear that the patch you download could be buggy and screw your system up. I have about 40 PCs running Windows Update and I haven't had a problem with any of the patches, but I remember back in the NT days when Service Packs would hose my servers.

Also, over a dial up connection, the download takes forever and slows your surfing down to a crawl. I have a dial up from home and when it starts updateing, I pretty much have to walk away from the computer for about an hour.

I am sorry to say (heh) that I kept ignoring the Windows Updates that would pop up on my screen. Perhaps I did not want to bother downloading them at the time. *shrugs* Last night, it took me a half-hour on a cable modem to download and install them all. :eek:

I'm all up-to-date now. :)

[RichmondVA]

I think people are also afraid of what Microsoft might be monitoring and what data is sent to/from them. And of course each connection is another avenue for someone to exploit via a fake patch or even a delivered executable that runs even if you have it set to only "notify".

I think the reward far outweighs the risk but there is a rationale for simply checking up on MS (or other site) every so often and downloading needed updates manually.

[DogStarMan]

Originally posted by RichmondVA
I think the reward far outweighs the risk but there is a rationale for simply checking up on MS (or other site) every so often and downloading needed updates manually.
Don't worry about trying to remember to check in on Microsoft. Just sign up for the TechNet newsletter and let them e-mail you when there is a new update available....click (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/notify.asp)