Microsoft Releases Windows XP SP2 to the Public |
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| Author:
| Machina
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| Submitted: |
26-Aug-2004 16:55:10 |
| Imported From: |
zZine (original author: Machina)
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| The long awaited, controversial, and much needed update to the Windows XP operating system has been finally rolled out. However, after Microsoft's battle with p2p shares, as well as widespread reports of software conflicts, many users are not altogether pleased.
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The long awaited and much needed update to Windows XP has finally been released by Microsoft, 2 months later than expected. It attempts to address critical issues found within the XP operating system that have allowed Windows viruses to become so prevalent.
The update has been released in stages to different versions of the operating system, with corporate customers receiving the update first, followed by XP Home users, and finally XP Professional. However, the update has been dogged by controversy over Microsoft's reaction to p2p sharing, as well as the usual software compatibility issues.
P2P and Microsoft
In a perfect example of p2p networking's strengths, the file swapping activist group called Downhill Battle released the corporate version of the service pack on the BitTorrent network. Downhill Battle remarked, "This project shows how file-sharing technology gives people without budgets or huge server space the power to solve problems themselves, without waiting for the government or some corporation to do it for them."
Microsoft responded, saying "The Microsoft Download Center site is the only authorized web source for downloading a licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 2….To report a website offering unlicensed copies of Windows XP SP2 for download, please send an e-mail to piracy@microsoft.com."
Using the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Microsoft has attempted to force people to stop obtaining the patch from p2p networks, threatening legal action against thjose who break the law.
Software Conflicts
The update attempts to make it harder for crackers and viruses to affect Microsoft based systems. Unfortunately, this has created clashes with existing software. The software giant has drawn up a list of software that either behaves differently or cease to function altogether under SP2, along with information on how to get the programs working again.
The lists can be found here:
List of software that does not work with SP2
List of software that behaves differently with SP2
Essentially, software that accesses the internet may have problems with the new update.
Known Issues
- Conflicts with LaCie Firewire 800 drives
- Causes problems with SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft CRM 1.2
- Could break net tools that use raw sockets
- Microsoft Systems Management Server Remote Tools cannot remotely manage clients running SP2
- SP2 firewall disables Client Push Installation
- SP2 users must update to Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1
Holes have already been discovered in the patch. Security firm Secunia and the German company Heise have demonstrated that holes have been left open. A critical bug allows malicious code to masquerade as an image that will automatically run when Windows is booted up.
However, the 80mb patch does fix many significant problems and should help make Windows PCs more secure. Critical changes include a new Security Centre that monitors antivirus and firewall software, blocks some kinds of spyware and turns off Windows Messenger Service
SP2 Changes
- Pop-up ads blocked
- Revamped firewall on by default
- Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and Windows Messenger warn about attachments
- Origins of downloaded files logged
- Web graphics in e-mail no longer loaded by default
- Some spyware blocked
- Users regularly reminded about Windows Updates
- Security Centre brings together information about anti-virus, updates and firewall
- Protection against buffer over-runs
- Windows Messenger Service turned off by default
The update is now avalible on the Microsoft update site and can be ordered on CD.
This article was originally published by CyberArmy.net in the CyberArmy Library.
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