Beware unplanned (Microsoft) SP2 downloads on April 12

informationweek (note: blog posting) ^ | 04/06/2005 | John Foley

[js1138]

If you don't download stuff you probably won't have any serious spyware. I got by for years with no problems, then I downloaded a game from CNET, which is a reputable site, run by Ziff-Davis. I nearly had to reformat and start over. It took hours to clean the machine.

Most of the infected machines I've seen have been used by teenagers to download free music. The "free" download sites are generally sponsored by spyware.

Some of this junk disables Windows Updates and blocks access to sites that offer cleaning tools. At least one of these sites has been sued into bankruptcy by Microsoft. I'd prefer a shotgun to the kneecaps.

[Redcloak]

[polymuser]

I'm assuming 'unplanned' means it's being 'pushed'. No choice, therefore no complaints about lack of latest protection. All your updates are belong to us.

[Marauder]

This is one of the reasons why I stayed with Windows 2000.

Roger that. I remember last year with the SP1 fiasco. My main reason for staying with 2000 is that XP is a big-time resource hog. My 1GHz machine runs faster with 2000 Pro than a 2GHz with XP.

I've also got a 350 MHz unit with NT4 WS that runs faster than the 1GHz, but I like the USB capability.

[js1138]

Oh, yes, the other email trick is to use a phony return address. If you are getting "returns" from email you didn't send, then someone who has your email address has been hijacked and is sending out mail using your email address as the return address. This is called spoofing. It is generally illegal, but then what does that mean?

[frgoff]

A few times each week I get an email that informs me that my message to someone (always random strangers -- once it was someone whose name was familiar to me) was not accepted because it contained a virus. Is this really being sent from my computer, or does someone use my email address to shoot off viruses from another location?

It can be one of two things:

1. Someone who has you in their address book has been infected with a program that uses one address as the "from" address to spam.

2. A spammer has your email address and is using it as his "from" address when he's spamming others to hide his identity.

If your virus checker shows you're clean, then it's almost certainly one of the above two.

I use OS X, which doesn't have any viruses at all, and I also get these messages a couple of times a month.

[Psycho_Bunny]

On first read, I'd say this post is an urban legend:  most "Enterprise Environments" use Active Directory.  Is MS going to hack past everyone's firewall to the Active Directory cluster and re-enable the "Allow Windows Update" Group Policy so the domain clients can download SP2?

I don't think so.

Maybe they're talking about some other tool.....you can't tell from this article....but I can tell you this much:  no one in my Enterprise will be getting SP2 on the 12th.

[polymuser]

Keeping W98SE machines thru support period, then will change to W2K.

[rllngrk33]

You'll get Service Pack 2 if you want it or not. Or Microsoft will simply disable Windows.

It's a good thing I run Win 98 at home, SP2 won't work on it.

[Psycho_Bunny]

....not only that but how would any of the users install SP2?  "Users" in AD domains can't install anything.

[AFreeBird]

If you are forced to download, does the supplemental EULA (software licence) that is included, have any validity whatsoever?

Although I haven't read it (I will never run XP on any system I own), I suspect that the original XP EULA, that you've already agreed to, contains a provision for autodownload and acceptance of patch EULA's. And probably a whole host of other behind the scenes processes that you shouldn't worry yourself about. (Nothing to see here, move along)

Just Micro$oft's way of freeing you of those tough decisions, and making your computing experience more friendly and enjoyable. /sarcasm

[I'm ALL Right!]

Geico sucks.

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[taxed2death]

When I downloaded it, it slowed my dial-up to 28k. Nothing I have tried can get me back up to 50,000 + k.
nothing.

[PhiKapMom]

I had no problems with SP2 download on my two computers here at the House or on my two kid's laptop computers. Download worked like it was supposed to for which I am very thankful.

[FourtySeven]

...and combined with the MS spyware blocker,...

I saw that on a coworker's laptop the other day. I meant to ask him where he got it. Where is it available? Can you get it off the Windows Update site? Everytime I go there, none of the optional updates have it. Is it any better than AdAware or Spybot Search & Destroy?

[kayak]

Thanks for the simple, straightforward instructions.

But I have a question regarding #2 (Turn off all of the junk in your system tray that you don't need.) . Can you explain for us computer dummies exactly what stuff (or type of stuff) we do need to leave in the system tray?

[anymouse]

Do the custom Windoz update and make sure you do all of the interim updates first before downloading SP2. If you do that, then you should have no problem.

Of course it helps to have high speed Internet access, else it will take forever to get all of the updates downloaded and installed on a dial-up download.

[js1138]

When I downloaded it, it slowed my dial-up to 28k. Nothing I have tried can get me back up to 50,000 + k. nothing.

Dial-up speed is controlled by the modem. Different brands of modems require different initialization strings to get beyond 28k.

What brand of modem do you have, or do you know?

[js1138]

microsoft.com downloads