If This Doesn't Count As a Critical Update, What Does?

[strangerstill]

...so my mother says, "I think my computer has a virus"

Now, I'm a little surprised by this, because I've installed Norton AV and ZoneAlarm on all the computers in my house; not only that, but I make sure that everyone knows to check for and install critical updates the moment they appear on Windows Update.

Well, I download the very latest virus updates to her computer (she was a week or so behind - on holiday in Hawaii) and, sure enough, this suspicious program that's trying to access the internet turns out to be a keylogger trojan dropped by BadTrans-B.

Irrespective of whether Norton was up-to-date, I'm surprised that the virus got in, as she knows not to open unsolicited attachments or open unsolicited emails.

So I investigate BadTrans-B, and discover its mode of attack: it mimics a genuine email by replying to emails in the Inbox; it then uses a hole in Outlook Express to run itself the moment the email is opened.

Still, if she has all the critical updates, why is this hole still open? Well, I go to Windows Update, and discover that the patch is buried inside a 'service pack' which is halfway down the page mixed inside all the stuff - Media Player, Netmeeting, etc. that she doesn't want or need.

So I ask again - If This Doesn't Count As a Critical Update, What Does?

[Kuasimodem]

Well, I go to Windows Update, and discover that the patch is buried inside a 'service pack' which is halfway down the page mixed inside all the stuff - Media Player, Netmeeting, etc. that she doesn't want or need.

Sounds like Microsoft to me...bury the fix like they try to bury the problem

[MegalosSkylaki]

ERRR...Just wait a minute here , Kuasimodem . Are YOU suggesting M$ is not entirely UP FRONT?

P.S. I LOVE to get behind you in a post just to laugh at you Avatar ! Can I borrow it for One of my Personalities?

FULLYMODEMD G

[vfrxsw]

If you subscribed and read security notices from MS you would have known about this in March. Maybe keeping antivirus updated should be higher on priority list.
To subscribe to MS security http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...tin/notify.asp

[strangerstill]

Well, yeah, I do. But can they really expect normal home users to subscribe - or to understand their security notices?

[Kuasimodem]

Here ya go Doog, have fun...besides, I think I found one that's




<<<<<<<<<<<<really annoying

[MegalosSkylaki]

DanG! Now I gotta review you all over again...Dang ! I Gotta get to sleep. Do me a favor , go review yourself.

Guess you got tired of the Bad Apes stealling you dentures !

[Kuasimodem]

I switched back...all that bouncing around was giving me a headache!

[MegalosSkylaki]

NAH ! I figure you just realized that this one was

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< REALLY ANNOYING

WONDERD G

P.S. Hmmmm.......guess you didn't wanna do the little chore I suggested 'cause I was too lazy !and I wuldn't let you borrow it {Needs special diet not found among Ape-kind} !