(Free) Windows Security Update CD Available From MS

Microsoft ^ | February 17, 2004 | Microsoft

[general_re]

Order the Windows Security Update CD

Posted Date: February 17, 2004

The Windows Security Update CD will be shipped to you free of charge. This CD includes Microsoft critical updates released through October 2003 and information to help you protect your PC. In addition, you will also receive free antivirus and firewall trial software.

This CD is only available for Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows 98 Second Edition (SE).

Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

To get started, please choose your location (language) from the appropriate drop down menu. Customers outside the US and Canada: please select a location and language below to see Protect Your PC information for your country. You will be able to order the CD from these sites when it becomes available. (Date of availability may vary.)

[general_re]

Well, I figure this isn't solicitation, since it's free, and this might be useful to some folks. True, it doesn't include the most recent updates, but if you've been putting off your patches - maybe you're on dial-up or something - now you have no excuse, especially since MS is waiving the shipping charge. Yes, it doesn't cost you a dime - nice to see Bill picking up postage, and you get some extras to boot ;)

Grab this and then make sure you get the recent patches not included by hitting Windows Update...

[steve86]

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL THIS ON LINUX OR MAC!!!

/sarcasm

[thoughtomator]

Taking bets on how many NEW security holes get opened by the patch...

[steve86]

Probably being decompiled already.

[general_re]

Well, you can try. Might be fun to try. :^)

[nopardons]

BTTb

[steve86]

Well, you can try. Might be fun to try. :^)

Well, aren't we in a playful mood tonight! :)

[general_re]

It's just a collection of critical updates, so you're no worse off than if you get them through Windows Update. Anyway, I think it's pretty obvious which you should choose when given the choice between patching real holes that are known to exist versus the theoretical risk that the patches themselves will open new holes. ;)

[martin_fierro]

FREE PC PROTECTION: (Not an exhaustive list. Your results may vary. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. No wagering, please. Whattayawantfernuthin'.)

Alternative browsers: Mozilla Opera AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: Free anti-viral protection Popup ad killers: Bayden Systems Popup Popper: Blocks popup ads well in MSIE Shoot the Messenger: Close that friggin' Messenger in Windows XP Spyware removers: Spybot S&D AdAware MailWasher: Good for pre-screening & bouncing SPAM Windows Update: At least install the critical ones ZoneAlarm: Excellent Firewall Test your firewall from without with ShieldsUP! Test your firewall from within with LeakTest LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Explore Linux as an alternative OS, without installing it on your hard drive, via a free bootable CD-ROM! Download Knoppix here, burn the ISO file onto a CD-ROM, and reboot with the CD-ROM in its drive.

[general_re]

Let me know how it works ;)

[dix]

Me too.

[general_re]

You should add some Outlook alternatives now that I think about it. Personally, on the Windows boxes I use and recommend Pegasus Mail for email, and Xnews for Usenet - both nice proggies, and both free. I haven't tried Mozilla's Thunderbird, but I hear good things about it, although anyone not comfortable with prerelease software should probably look elsewhere...

[philetus]

Thunderbird works like a dream.

[Terpfen]

Just a suggestion; you should add Spyware Blaster and Sygate Personal Firewall to your list. Sygate's good when Zonealarm's time limit expires, and Spyware Blaster blocks spyware from being loaded on a computer in the first place.

[scab4faa]

Bump for the fact I can never find your post when I need it

[rit]

Why would they offer updates only through Oct 2003, when they just released a major security patch last month, and this month?

[general_re]

I'm guessing that they've had this in the pipeline for some time - they must have had to freeze it at some point, in order to get something out the door.

While I've got you here, you have mail ;)

[general_re]

Does it? Pmail has some very powerful filtering facilities built in, but I admit to wanting to give the Bayesian thing a whirl...

[Clinging Bitterly]

Sent for it what the heck, free is cheap enough. And if I ever have to do a reinstall I'll have those critical updates that seem to have come just about every day, up to the date of this package. The install I did on the PC I built for my wife a couple months ago took some three hours over dial-up to get up to date on the security updates.

Of course this is probably more a marketing thing than anything, with the trials or demos of the anti-virus & such, and smart for them. Micro$oft won't be mailing these out on a monthly basis to seemingly everyone in the country, but only to those who actually want them. I'd also be willing to bet they use a simple biodegradable cardboard sleeve instead of a tin can. Can't swing a dead cat without hitting one of those AOL disks, and now those pesky tins too. I like the idea of trash being shipped around only to those who actually want it.

[rit]

Hmm. It it takes them 3.5 months to freeze the updates and burn a CD, then something is wrong. I think post#19 hits on it that this is more marketing of new products, but, I could be wrong.