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Thread ID: 46380	2004-06-21 23:56:00	ServicePack 2 for XP	heaton (3697)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
246691	2004-06-21 23:56:00	Today’s Herald 27th June page C5 re a Service Pack 2 coming out shortly to plug a lot of security holes in Windows XP. After telling us all about the good features of this update, the writer then sows the seeds of doubt in the minds of us non-experts by saying that Microsoft’s security efforts in service pack 2 will be a big fat bullseye for virus writers. Which leaves me in doubt as to whether to stick with what I am using now or make matters worse by being a said bullseye. What do others think ?	heaton (3697)
246692	2004-06-22 00:39:00	With all due respect, had you read the article from The New Zealand Herald (www.nzherald.co.nz) you will see that Juha (Like I do) recommends you upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 ASAP! As he said, it brings many welcome changes to the OS that are long overdue (Popup stoppers have been around for years.. I began using Mozilla Firefox (Was Phoenix) almost two years ago and havent had a popup since!), as well as some improvements (The firewall is much better - part of the new Security Center) on older components of the OS. He says: Second, Service Pack 2 also marks Microsoft's second try at producing an anti-virus, to be released this year. It's likely the anti-virus software will be offered via subscription to avoid another anti-competition trial, and not bundled with Service Pack 2. The decision to once again produce an anti-virus could undo all Microsoft's security effort in Service Pack 2, simply because it will be a big fat bulls-eye for virus writers. I can agree that it would be a big target, but hopefully because the wrote the OS, they know how to integrate it tightly enough. The thing is they'll only get one shot at it, so they'd better get it right first time! Ive been on the Beta team for WinXP SP2 for months now, and its great, especially for putting on new PC's instead of SP1. It means you're protected from the exploits used by the likes of the Blaster Worm, without having to spend hours at WindowsUpdate. As for Pirated copies being unprotected, they've only blocked 20 new keys from what I understand, that means there's still a ton of keys out there unblocked and unrestrained that will work with SP2. My thoughts: Its long overdue, too long. As a Linux user, Ive enjoyed Virus-free computing for almost a year now, as well as not having to worry about nasties trying to get in to my PC in unauthorised ways (Its bad practise but I still dont run a firewall), and on top of that Ive had a popup stopper in my browser for almost two years! Microsoft are way behind, so Im glad they're finally catching up to the progress the rest of the world has made! Chill.	Chilling_Silence (9)
246693	2004-06-22 00:40:00	The "Bullseye" remark referred to the new MS antivirus software not SP2 in general. You'd be mad to use version 1 of any AV software.	PaulD (232)
246694	2004-06-22 02:03:00	SP2, is certainly a must have upgrade but it's a double edge blade. One, while the new firewall does have the basic features, it will block some LAN ports config by default causing your home-networking to fail. If you have already used a third-party solution, stick to that. Also, the anti-virus "solution" at the security centre only monitor AVs, and can or will miss some, used your current AV to monitor updates. As security centre was designed for newbies, it can be annoying for experiences users, fortunely, you can try the alerts off. Like Chill, said, its "too little, too late" solution for users without adquent protection from "internet evils". Its at the "near" final stages at the moment (RC2), and are for public to download. Try it and see. Tony PS And yes I have been using for months now.	robert_m_r_w (3943)
246695	2004-06-22 02:56:00	> saying that Microsoft’s security efforts in service > pack 2 will be a big fat bullseye for virus writers. if MS says it secure then hackers will want to try and prove them wrong. as for the question of upgrade or not..... think of service pack 2 as a list of 2435 way to hack windows XP, if you dont upgrade then the hackers have a list of ways to hack you. if you do upgrade then they will have to look for new ways in get in to your system. my advice is to upgrade ASAP.	robsonde (120)
246696	2004-06-22 03:28:00	I downloaded SP2 RC2 network install from Microsoft a few days ago. (230mb + an overnight job). I've installed it and its working nicely. Turned all that security center junk off, that just chews through memory. Had a problem with installing it though, it would halt half way through and say atapi.sys was in use and could not be overwritten. A quick look over at the Microsoft SP2 Newsgroups they've set up, fixed it. You just rename the file to fix. Apparently if you use Alcohol or Daemon tools its the emulation software running that causes it. Anyway RC2 is working pretty good. An extra 11marks on 3d Mark 2003, which brings my grand total up to 5594 marks. So much for an improvement with DirectX 9.0c eh ;)	kiki (762)
246697	2004-06-22 04:56:00	Hey giys just a simple question? Where on the MS site can I download SP2 RC2 from. cheers chiefnz	chiefnz (545)
246698	2004-06-22 05:13:00	Did you search Microsoft.com? I did: "Windows XP Service Pack" A few down the list I found this: www.microsoft.com Which then takes you to the download site: www.microsoft.com Cheers Chill.	Chilling_Silence (9)
246699	2004-06-22 05:16:00	Oh and check out the Date Execution Protection settings :O System Properties -> Advanced -> Performance Settings -> DEP Tab. How do you disable the Software enforced DEP? It doesn't look like you can? :O	kiki (762)
246700	2004-06-22 05:23:00	Huh? Ive got an AMD Duron box here and it says "Your PC doesnt support DEP". Then again, even if it did, there's a box there labelled "Turn off DEP (Not recommended)". I wonder what that does.... ;-)	Chilling_Silence (9)
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