Window Update
Moderator: Wiz Feinberg
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Jon Light (deceased)
- Posts: 14336
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Saugerties, NY
Window Update
I've got this automatic feature on my WinXP set to notify me before doing anything. And when I read some of these updates they say that they can't be reversed or removed. I recall in the past that Microsoft goofed with an update and couldn't do anything but say ooops, sorry, so I'm kinda gunshy. Any tips about how to choose MS security patches and such? Should I just close my eyes and say 'hit me'?
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Everett Cox
- Posts: 497
- Joined: 13 Jul 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Marengo, OH, USA (deceased)
Jon-- healthy skepticism is one of the best defenses against computer trauma. I prefer very few things to be done automatically whether it be Scandisk 'corrections' or Windows' updates. Most of us without broadband, 'always on', network connections should NOT have so much trouble with virus'.
Avoiding the combination of MS Internet Explorer *and* Outlook, or at least being vigilant with their usage, would prevent most problems. Many simple techniques have been discussed on this Forum and elsewhere to reduce vulnerability. Personal firewalls such as ZoneAlarm and updated antivirus programs should almost eliminate the threat.
The more 'automatic' we allow our systems to become, the less we need to know - or CARE - what is happening. THAT is the real danger!
Take the time to visit the MS Update pages and determine if you *really* want to D/L before you commit. Make use of the functions built into WinXP to backup the Windows system prior to updating anything not reversable. -- My oppinion, Everett
Avoiding the combination of MS Internet Explorer *and* Outlook, or at least being vigilant with their usage, would prevent most problems. Many simple techniques have been discussed on this Forum and elsewhere to reduce vulnerability. Personal firewalls such as ZoneAlarm and updated antivirus programs should almost eliminate the threat.
The more 'automatic' we allow our systems to become, the less we need to know - or CARE - what is happening. THAT is the real danger!
Take the time to visit the MS Update pages and determine if you *really* want to D/L before you commit. Make use of the functions built into WinXP to backup the Windows system prior to updating anything not reversable. -- My oppinion, Everett
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Jon Light (deceased)
- Posts: 14336
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Saugerties, NY
Thanks, Everett. I'm trying to do a minimum of technical reading at the same time as I excercise a maximum of skepticism. Mutually exclusive, unfortunately. No, I'm not interested in giving over automatic consent---just trying to pick and choose from the recommended updates. I've decided to take at face value warnings of 'vulnerabilities'----gee, security issues in IE and OE?--I'm shocked....shocked!! 