Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (
More info?)
"Fuzzy Logic" <bob@arc.ab.caREMOVETHIS> wrote in message
news:Xns96B69FDFD5B5Fbobarcabca@207.46.248.16...
> "t.cruise" <t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:eJekL9CpFHA.1416@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl:
>
> >
> > "Fuzzy Logic" <bob@arc.ab.caREMOVETHIS> wrote in message
> > news:Xns96B68859F2541bobarcabca@207.46.248.16...
> >> "t.cruise" <t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com> wrote in
> >> news:#RRcbkCpFHA.3036@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl:
> >>
> >> > I know that many in this group support downloading Windows XP
> >> > updates. Personally, I download and install ONLY what is absolutely
> >> > necessary, which for me has avoided problems with smooth running
> >> > systems. There has been much media attention the past couple of days
> >> > about the Zotob worm, I.E., PnP and compromised Windows security. I
> >> > know that there is a patch available for download at the Microsoft
> >> > web site WindowsXP-KB899588-x86-ENU.exe
> >> >
> >> > But, there has been mass media hysteria in the past about viruses and
> >> > worms, none of which have made their way to any of my systems with
> >> > broadband internet connections, without my having to download and
> >> > install the plethora of security patches at the Windows Update. My
> >> > question is, if I have a decent firewall am I already protected, or
> >> > do I really need to install this patch?
> >> > --
> >> >
> >> > T.C.
> >> > t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
> >> > Remove [NoSpam] to reply
> >>
> >> Of course you don't NEED to install the patch. You MAY be safe but on
> >> the other hand the patch is free and a small download so why not
> >> install it?
> >>
> >> I'd be curious how you decide what is absolutely necessary? In my books
> >> that would be any patches classified as critical.
> >>
> > It would be for an immediate problem, such as support for hardware,
> > which was not available prior to the update. Aside from that, when it
> > comes to security, the Zone Alarm firewall, and safe internet computing
> > practices have kept my systems clean and running smoothly, without
> > downloading even one Windows Update for the past couple of years. I
> > never updated my SP1 systems to SP2, and all is fine with them. I know
> > the hardware/drivers/Software/Utilities and resources on those systems,
> > and looked at the risk v. benefit of updating them to SP2. I decided
> > not to. I realize that the majority of people who updated to SP2 did
> > not have any problems, but some had major problems during and after the
> > SP2 update. My SP1 systems are still running fine. I realize that
> > there are many people who will disagree with my practices and logic.
> > Working on other people's systems is one thing. But, downloading an
> > update which does not play nice with one of my configurations is
> > something that I do not want to waste time fixing, even if the fix only
> > involves an hour of my time. Or, downloading an update and then needing
> > to do a System Restore to a time prior to the download of that update,
> > because of another problem, which would mean downloading the update
> > again, is something I do not want to have to keep track of, or get
> > involved with, unless absolutely necessary. --
>
> You do realize that ZoneAlarm has had it's own vulnerabilities? You are
> essentially putting all your eggs in one basket and relying entirely on a
> software firewall to protect you. You are trading off a possible problem
> from an update against a likely nastier problem from a vulnerability being
> exploited.
>
> FYI I do support for over 600 people and haven't had an issue with a
> critical update from Microsoft since the days of Windows NT. We have very
> diverse hardware as I work for a research organization with all sorts of
> strange equipment. I have never had to do a system restore due to an
> update.
>
> What you are doing defies all common security practices (multiple layers
> of defense, properly configured and updated systems.)
FYI: I did install the update, AFTER I was assured that it would not create any problems,
and then recommended it to others. I still believe that Microsoft uses the word
"critical" loosely. I also do not like updates that cause problems, and when one wants to
uninstall them, a dialog box comes up listing a group of applications which might not
function properly if the update is uninstalled. One should be informed BEFORE the install
of the update of that list of applications which might not run correctly if the update is
uninstalled.
--
T.C.
t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
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