Windows XP Service Pack 2 Prompts Corporate Caution
By ECT News Security
TechNewsWorld
Part of the ECT News Network
08/10/04 3:54 PM PT
Microsoft released the XP SP2 update, which reportedly cost $1 billion to develop, last week. Microsoft expects some 100 million updates to be applied within two months. New machines loaded with the updated version of XP will be available starting next month.
eMarketer Whitepaper: Optimizing the E-Commerce Experience
From the Web to the Contact Center, are you prepared to proactively engage and keep your savvy customers? Read how e-commerce leaders are optimizing their sites with ratings, reviews, live help, Web analytics, mobile and more.
While eager to take advantage of the enhanced security features of Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) long-awaited SP2 update, many corporate users of Windows XP will be cautious in activating it.
Microsoft did extensive compatibility testing aimed at ensuring SP2 would work with as many third-party applications as possible, but many network administrators plan to run the update through the paces themselves.
IBM (NYSE: IBM) has confirmed that it is telling employees to delay downloading the SP2 update until network administrators can determine potential effects on Big Blue's systems. Many other companies are expected to follow suit.
Microsoft released the XP SP2 update, which reportedly cost $1 billion to develop, last week. The software maker expects some 100 million updates to be applied within two months. New machines loaded with the updated version of XP will be available starting next month.
While security and antispam features that block malicious code in e-mails and on Web pages have gotten most of the attention, the update also features architecture changes designed to make it harder for hackers to take over a machine remotely if they do gain access.
Print Version
E-Mail Article
Reprints
More by ECT News Security
Next Article in Software
New Bagle Virus Rolls Around World
August 10, 2004
The new variant, known as Bagle.aq, collects addresses from e-mail software on the infected computer and places them in the 'From' field when it sends itself. The message with the spoofed address therefore appears to be from a legitimate user.
|
More by ECT News Security
New Bagle Virus Making Rounds
August 09, 2004
Bagle.aq is a mass-mailing threat that contains its own mail engine to construct outgoing e-mail messages. It harvests addresses from local files and then uses the harvested addresses in the "From" field to send itself.
|
Headline Feeds
Talkback: 
