Posted on 06/27/2015 6:40:58 AM PDT by dayglored
Samsung will release a patch for its computers so that they no longer kill off automatic Windows updates.
On Wednesday, reverse-engineering specialist Patrick Barker blogged about a program suspiciously called Disable_Windowsupdate.exe that is bundled on Sammy machines and shuts down automatic Windows Updates – including security updates.
Users have to remember to install updates from Microsoft manually, and if they opt for automatic installation, Samsung's software disables it. The firm's support staff told him that was to make sure Samsung's hardware drivers were not removed or overridden by Microsoft's upgrades.
While not as serious as Lenovo's Superfish debacle – where bundled code punched a hole in system security – Samsung's cockup has caused ructions. Now it has promised that the issue will be fixed.
"Samsung has a commitment to security and we continue to value our partnership with Microsoft," a spokeswoman told El Reg.
"We will be issuing a patch through the Samsung Software Update notification process to revert back to the recommended automatic Windows Update settings within a few days. Samsung remains committed to providing a trustworthy user experience and we encourage customers with product questions or concerns to contact us directly."
Microsoft hasn't responded to a request for comment on Samsung's new position, but it's pretty clear that the Windows giant was not happy about the situation. Some South Korean executives may have been getting the rough side of Redmond's tongue.
The thought of a computer manufacturer disabling Windows Update will have had the Microsoft security team on edge. But there's also Windows 10 to consider...
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
Norton (Symantec) and McAfee are terrible products that catch very little. I get to clean up after them enough.
#10 Google Chrome installs a wiretap app called chromium. If your pc has a camera then you are being wiretapped.
Google says they give you an option (they do not tell you about how to opt out). So you do turn off the wiretap option after hearing about it and having to do searches on the internet.
How do you know it is really OFF?!
Excerpt: Falkvinge countered Google’s explanations saying: “The default install will still wiretap your room without your consent, unless you opt out, and more importantly, know that you need to opt out, which is nowhere a reasonable requirement.” He says a hardware switch to disable the microphone and camera built into most computers is needed.
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