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| Thread ID: 47653 | 2004-08-02 00:31:00 | Microsoft Updates...necessary or not? | caffy (2665) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 257365 | 2004-08-02 00:31:00 | Hey, when I got this PC 2 years ago, the MS update icon in the system tray annoyed me, so I disabled it . Recently I enabled it again, because a friend said that it would be necessary, to keep my computer updated with security patches, and whatnot . But is it really necessary? I find the updating really slow, and takes a while to install . In the 2 years that I had it disabled, I had no major problems with the PC . I am using other programmes like spybot, ad-aware, AVG, and zone-alarm . Any feedback whether MS Updates is really necessary, or not, would be useful . thanks :) caffy |
caffy (2665) | ||
| 257366 | 2004-08-02 00:38:00 | well everyone i know that has said "ms updates are not needed" soon changed their mind once they where infected/hijacked via one of MS's holes . upto if you want to take the risk or not . tho i much prefer to not to have yet another infected pc passing the infection on ;-) |
tweak'e (174) | ||
| 257367 | 2004-08-02 00:43:00 | If you leave it 2 years before updating of course it will be a slow process. Microsoft have a cd of security patches that they'll sent you. www.microsoft.com |
PaulD (232) | ||
| 257368 | 2004-08-02 00:47:00 | > If you leave it 2 years before updating of course it > will be a slow process. Understandable - the first update was certainly slow, but so have the updates that I downloaded AFTER that first update. Is this normal? I'll keep an eye on how long the download is actually taking, next time and post back. |
caffy (2665) | ||
| 257369 | 2004-08-02 01:45:00 | if you are only useing the auto update feature then it will be slow as it will only download in the background. far better to go to windows update site (IE/tools/windows update). | tweak'e (174) | ||
| 257370 | 2004-08-02 02:26:00 | > far better to go to windows update site (IE/tools/windows update). The other advantage with the website is that you can tell the size of each update file, as well as the issue it addresses. Thus you can ignore the ones which don't apply... If you're using XP, you can also reach the update site by clicking Windows Update on your start menu under 'all programs' (not sure about other windows versions) cheers, S |
Spartacus (3313) | ||
| 257371 | 2004-08-02 03:18:00 | > I am using other programmes like spybot, ad-aware, AVG, and zone-alarm. Why is it that mostly everyone uses these programs? It's like they are the be all and end all security fix for newbies. Spybot and ad-aware are completely unnecessary if you run some open source browser like Firefox or Opera, and AVG and Zone-alarm are definitely not the best antivirus and firewalls out. I think every newbie on the internet must've been blasted with this propaganda that these products are the best. Fact is, they're not. AVG has to be updated daily to provide any protection for new viruses, the heuristic engine for wild viruses is obviously pretty useless. Zone-Alarm will not stand up to any real intrusion (port scans, thats about it), for that you need a hardware firewall with NAT and proper IDS coupled with a decent software package. Of course for people directly connected to their modem, there isn't a lot you can do. Constant Microsoft updates, a waste of time if you have a setup mentioned above, don't use IE, outlook express and any other bug ridden programs. The only time I would get an update would be when there was a service pack out, some performance enhancing patch, or new feature released that I wanted. You don't often see them do you, all security/bug fix related. Microsoft should be working on optimising their code as well. I think the propaganda started with that MSBlaster worm, every site going on about 'you need AVG, zonealarm' etc. Pitiful. |
kiki (762) | ||
| 257372 | 2004-08-02 03:28:00 | Please excuse the ramblings of an utter mad man above | Rob99 (151) | ||
| 257373 | 2004-08-02 03:31:00 | This may be true kiki but the fact remains that most PC users have no idea about security. I get PC's to fix that have never had an update to any of the software regardless if it is Nortons, AVG, Zonealarm or the OS. At least if these users hear about Zonealarm, AVG, Norotns etc they might at least think about security and maybe do something about it. | Berryb (654) | ||
| 257374 | 2004-08-02 03:35:00 | >> and AVG and Zone-alarm are definitely not the best antivirus and firewalls out . Well I use both and find them great . They are free and therefore in theory won't give the protection that some might need . "Best" is somewhat subjective . Whats "best" for me may not be "best" for you . Re MS updates, I prefer to do updates via cd if at all possible . Of course, I know my way around a pc . For the average person, it might be better to leave it on but check to see what updates MS are trying to give them . |
Dolby Digital (160) | ||
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