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Windows XP SP3 hits Windows Update, Vista SP1 makes a comeback
At last the moment you've been waiting for. Microsoft wants to hit your version of Windows with an update, and this time you don't have to go rummaging around the internet to find it: just fire up Windows Update and let Microsoft do all the work. After a few false starts XP users get the much-anticipated SP3 update, which promises speed boosts and some of the fancy security features found in Vista. If you're a Vista user you're also in luck, since Microsoft has restarted its Vista SP1 distribution after some compatibility problems with Microsoft Dynamics RMS. Sounds like a party.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Windows Update pushes out "stealth" updates, Microsoft explains
Microsoft kicked up a bit of a stir recently, when it began what appeared to be a practice of updating files on individuals' computers even when they had turned off the automatic update feature in Windows XP and Vista. That first came to light courtesy of the folks at the "Windows Secrets" newsletter, which found that nine files in XP and Vista were changed on or after August 24th, with no notification of the changes in Windows whatsoever. That was later confirmed by ZDNET's Hardware 2.0 blog, which tracked down the affected files and also pinpointed the update date as August 24th. Now, Microsoft has come out and explained itself, saying that the updates weren't really updates for Windows, but rather updates for Windows Update itself, which apparently didn't merit a notification. The company does admit that it could have been more "transparent" about the matter, however, and says it's now "looking at the best way to clarify" the behavior of Windows Update.[Thanks, Robert J]Read - Computerworld, "Microsoft changes Windows files on user PCs without permission"Read - ZDNet Hardware 2.0, "Confirmation of stealth Windows Update"Read - ITWorld, "Microsoft: 'Secret' updates were for Windows Update itself"
Microsoft lays down smack on AutoPatcher service, users not pleased
Let's face it, even those who do like using Windows (us included) aren't too fond of Windows Update -- and don't even get us started on what sysadmins have to go through keeping Windows boxes up to date (yeah, we used to do that too). Which is why we're so glad there's always a healthy 3rd party ecosystem in place to help fill in the gaps and get users get what they need and how they need it. Like AutoPatcher, the popular Windows Update substitute that's been around for the last four years. Well, kiss it goodbye. The AutoPatcher team is reporting that Microsoft has laid down the smack on them and their ops, demanding the immediate shutdown of the service. We understand it's kind of dubious (if not outright illegal) to redistribute Microsoft's code (in the form of Windows update patches), but try though we might, we just can't see what damage these guys are doing to Microsoft -- only good -- so we've got our fingers crossed the AP guys can figure out a way to re-enable service without future infringement. Won't someone please think of the chil -- sysadmins? Read - AutoPatcher sounds like it's calling it quitsRead - The takedown notice Microsoft sent to the AutoPatcher team
How to protect your system from keyloggers [Updated]
It's raid night. You've farmed your mats, topped off your repair fun and loaded up on pizza and cola. But for some reason you can't log on. You're sure you typed in the right password, but no go. You IM you guildie: "Are the servers down? I can't get in." His reply sends chills down your spine: "We just saw you at the bank. Why was your toon naked?"Years of hard work gone. Someone else accessed your account and stripped your main of all his gold, bank items and tradable equipment. "But I don't give my password to anyone!" you wail. You don't have to, the keylogger program knows it anyway.What's a keylogger? It's a small, virus-type program that can accidentally be installed on your computer. How might a keylogger be installed on your system? Visiting an untrustworthy web site. Some sites may have code in them that exploit your web browser and cause it to quietly install a keylogging application without your permission. (Note: even turstworthy sites can be hacked! The same hackers who are after your information can hack what you think of as trustworthy sites and add exploit code to them which could give you a keylogger.) Downloading addons (or other files) from an untrustworthy site. Any executable file you download could contain a keylogger or virus, so before you download a file, be sure you're downloading it from a source you trust! Once a keylogger gets installed, it starts recording every keystroke you make. And when you type in your account name and password for your WoW account, it captures that, too. The next time you access the Internet, it sends your private information to the hackers who use it to log into WoW and strip all your characters of everything valuable leaving you with a penniless toon wearing nothing but his trousers.This all sounds pretty scary, but don't worry -- there are ways to protect yourself from keylogging programs!
"Final" iPod update fixes eject issues in Windows Vista
While iTunes 7.1 claimed to play nicer with Windows Vista, there was still reason for avid iPod users to hold back on upgrading, and now it looks like those final issues have been ironed out. Starting today, Vista users can download a software update that purportedly solves the problems some users were having as their iPod became corrupted when "ejecting them using Windows Explorer or the Safely Remove Hardware function in the system tray." Of course, those of you who got burned by this aren't as apt to become guinea pigs in finding out just how well (or not) the patch actually works, but for those mettlesome folks out there, feel free to hit the read link and commence downloading.[Via WindowsVistaBlog]
Updated iTunes for Windows includes Apple Software Update app
Isn't this interesting? The recent update of iTunes and Quicktime for Windows includes a little something extra: an Apple Software Update for Windows. It looks like the Software Update that we all know and love, but it only checks for iTunes and Quicktime updates on Windows.Could this be a strategy by Apple to show the other side how software updates are handled in OS X, or does this signal the arrival of more Windows software from our favorite fruit company?This photo is courtesy of Flickr user hawks5999. Mark Pilgrim has a few more screenshots.
