Posted on 01/15/2002 8:47:24 AM PST by toupsie
Glitch halts Windows XP updates Engineers are working to fix a glitch in a Microsoft Web server that has prevented Windows XP users from downloading software updates, including a patch for a security hole, a company spokeswoman said Monday. The problem, discovered last Thursday, was created when engineers attempted to update software on a server, she said, adding that it is expected to be corrected before Tuesday. The spokeswoman said she could not confirm the number of people affected by the problem, but said about 8 million people download Windows XP software updates each week. The news does not bode well for Windows XP users who are at risk from two serious security holes announced by the Redmond, Wash.-based company last month. The vulnerabilities could leave computers open to malicious hackers and at risk of being temporarily shut down from a denial-of-service attack or used in such an attack on other computers. Under a denial-of-service attack, a server is flooded with so much Internet traffic that it is rendered inaccessible to legitimate traffic. The holes were serious enough to prompt the FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center to urge Windows XP users to disable the Universal Plug and Play feature that contains the holes. The new operating system, released Oct. 25, has been touted by Microsoft as its most secure operating system ever. Story Copyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
By Reuters
January 14, 2002, 7:20 p.m. PT
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-8484261.html?tag=prntfr
Looks like Windows XP users will have to remain vunderable just a tad bit longer. Hackers and Script Kiddies just love Microsoft. In the future, they will be able thwart Microsoft's ability to send out security updates to customers through DDoS attacks.
Now, let's all say it together, "Everyone uses Windows so it has to be the best!"
MM
-Ignatz
(MCP+I MCSE CNA A+)
Sure they do but they don't have as many or as lethal as the "Most Secure Operating System Ever" Windows XP. One or two holes that get patched is standard for most UNIX distros, with Microsoft, they threaten to sue if you inform the public of their holes. In fact, Microsoft is lobbying Congress to make it a crime to make public Microsoft's sloppy security procedures and programming.
Same here. Not changing until I buy a new PC in a couple of years. Maybe by then Linux will truly be a viable option :)
The hole isn't a simple little glitch but an opportunity for hackers and script kiddies to take over your computer remotely. All they have to do is locate your computer on the internet running Windows XP and with a few keystrokes, make your system do anything they want. Not every operating system has this problem in fact, most would never have a security this HUGE in it. Quality testing ensures this.
If Windows XP was a car, a thief could steal it just by opening the door and saying "Start".
Interesting comment. I was advised by a friend with 25 years in the computer and software business to go with Win 2000 if I didn't feel comfortable being one of Microsoft's Win XP guinea pigs. It turned out to be the best computer advice I got all year. Win 2000 benchmarks slightly better than Win XP for all of the most common PC applications, including gaming graphics (with Service Pack 2 installed) and MS Office. My conclusion, which still goes unassailed by the Microsoft apologists on FR, is that Win XP is built square on the back of Win 2000, but with added bells and whistles for multi-media and an obnoxiously intrusive copy protection scheme that shuts down the OS if you install say, a new motherboard or NIC.
Win XP represents a unique departure for MS.... a new OS that is slower and clunkier and less secure than its predecessor. Could this be Microsoft's swan song? Stay tuned.
Do you know one person to whom this has happened?
MM
It took nearly six hours of frustration, but I finally got the problem fixed. I had to completely deinstall the Roxio program manually as the "Add/Remove" programs button didn't remove the entire thing. I had to rename DLLs, delete directories and then go into the dreaded Registry to make some scary changes there. Finally I was able to get the system to see my drives again. Around 1:30 in the morning!
I post this to save others the headaches. If you are going to install software on XP that is not written for XP, go online and get the patches first. My mistake was that I installed the program and then played around with it before intalling the patch. I should have installed the program and then immediately have gone to install the patch before running it.
I don't blame XP for this, I hold Roxio responsible. They should have had some detailed instructions either in the box or on their website. Otherwise, Roxio Easy CD Creator is a great program - once you get it running!
Another tip for XP users. If you have a broadband connection, turn off the Automatic Update feature for Windows XP (using System Applet in Control Panel). What it does is reserve a large portion of your bandwidth for checking for these updates. When I turned that feature off (to manual), my broadband connection got even faster! It is worth running at least once a month however because there are updates and patches for XP all the time.
But I like XP. I love it! Best OS on the planet in my humble opinion.
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