Open-Node.net

If you are running Windows XP and are at all concerned about the security of your computer you will be well aware of how important it is to install all the critical updates made available by Microsoft. Every few months a new flaw is discovered in the code, which if not patched quickly could result in a malicious hacker gaining access to your system and wreaking havoc. One major bug which was unearthed recently meant that you could have your entire C: drive wiped out if you were unlucky enough to click on a specially formed URL. All I can say is ouch!

Normally you would plug the holes with these band aids in an incremental fashion as and when they are released, either using the auto-update feature or by downloading them to your hard drive via the Windows download catalogue to be installed later. However, every so often Microsoft gathers together all the patches which they have released up until a specific cut off date and combine them into what is known as a service pack. These are single files which can be downloaded free of charge from the Microsoft home page and installed by double clicking the archive.

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August 31st 2004 Posted to   Security