Windows Patch Leaves Many XP Users With Blue Screens

slashdot ^ | 02/11/2010 | Slashdot

[zeugma]

So, for XP users, before you install any new updates, check for the rootkit with any AV scanners you may have. Since the rootkit has been identified and known to modify a specific file, "atapi.sys", I'd probably try to find out what the correct md5sum of the file should be as a quick way of determining if you have an issue with this update.

If you find the specified rootkit, I'd strongly advise saving your data, wiping the disk, and install from known good media.

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[SkyDancer]

Interesting - my dad updated his XpPro, went ok ... so???

[RandallFlagg]

I got nuked last Saturday by a Vista update. Lost almost everything.

Working on my new gaming build a little faster now.

[Dawgreg]

I got it a few weeks ago. Hub fixed it since I don’t know how to do anything on a puter except turn it off and on. I thought it was from a game I had installed......oooops to the game provider for thinking they had a corrupted game.

[ShadowAce]

[Jagman]

All part of the plan!

[NY.SS-Bar9]

Good advice except most AV products will not detect rootkits.

[Notary Sojac]

I use a resident antivirus, firewall and spyware scanner (three separate products - I'm leery of the all-in one approach) on my XP machines which are all still SP2.

I do all my internet access in a virtual machine (Sun Virtualbox).

I install MS patches only after they've been out for a few weeks and when I know that what they do is something that I want done on my systems.

Never had a problem yet (knock wood)

[TSgt]

Rootkits are nasty since you never really know if you are clean. It almost always call for a wipe and reload.

[sniper63]

Just did an update on XP Pro and now have an invalid windows image error keep popping up.

[Truth is a Weapon]

Ping

[George from New England]

Do not let your system or Microsoft update your machine as a routine. I have about ten PCs and NONE of them allow updates.

If it ain’t broken, it don’t need another fix!

[George from New England]

Do not let your system or Microsoft update your machine as a routine. I have about ten PCs and NONE of them allow updates.

If it ain’t broken, it don’t need another fix!

[TSgt]

I’m always 100% patched and have my virus software current however don’t forget about java, flash, etc. updates.

I got nailed several weeks ago by a java exploit even with everything else 100% current.

[Jonah Johansen]

I think Avira’s free version includes a root kit scanner.

“Avira encounters this malware spreading by integrating the rootkit technology into the entire product range. Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a basic protection that can be downloaded for free from: www.free-av.com.”

[George from New England]

I swear. I only clicked once.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I fail to friggin’ understand - Toyota is being raked over the coals because of a so-called “sticking gas pedal” which any reasonable driver would know enough to throw the car in neutral and turn off the key.

And this problem only affects what, one car in a million?

Yet Microsoft products for OVER TWENTY YEARS are rife with bugs, insecurities, problems, errors, unusable crap, ... and Microsoft executives are NEVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE!

This is pure Bull Ship!!!

[TSgt]

If it ain’t broken, it don’t need another fix!

Until you hit an infected webpage and get owned because you didn't install that zero day update...

[zeugma]

Interesting - my dad updated his XpPro, went ok ... so???

Well, that probably means that at least he doesn't have this rootkit. :-)