Windows XP Updates Problems
Windows Updates are nothing but a few Microsoft techies working to resolve issues, bugs and back doors in Windows. Any computers operating system must be kept up to date, with a number of threats from the virtual world on the rise that range from worms to data theft. Updates make your computer less vulnerable to such exploitation and also help the computers performance and stability. However at times, these updates can be the root of the problems though they can be fixed. Windows XP has updates regularly released by Microsoft for the benefit of its users, and it is recommended that it be installed for better security and performance.
However Windows XP’s updates has its fair share of problems that can be resolved easily. Security researchers have concluded that Microsoft customers who use Windows XP that has been patched with Service Pack 2 have to deal with ten security risks. Though not clearly described in order to avert the use and creation of malicious viruses and worms, Finjan a security firm has said that these vulnerabilities compromise on end user security. Exploitation of the vulnerabilities in the Windows XP Update of Service pack 2, the hackers can “silently and remotely” take over the machine while the user is browsing a web page. Also it is possible for the hacker to switch from Internet Explorer security zones to get the rights of local zone Internet Explorer users on a wide network. All this would lead to a remote access priveleges like to read, write and file execution with the knowledge of the user.
The automatic update of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has created problems that include breaking current applications, disturbing network setups and prompting non-technical users to make PC configuration decisions that difficult to understand. Microsoft has made a list of programs that crash on updating SP2 and the list includes programs like AOL tool bar, Black ICE, eTrust EZ Armor, Norton System Works, Zone Alarm, Virtual PC, WordPerfect Office, Photoshop CS 8.0 and others.
Another security flaw that was found by Heise, a German magazine, it revealed a way in tricking Windows into operation of files downloaded via the Internet and not warning users about the operation. When Heise brought it to the notice of Microsoft, they said “ we do not think that it needed to produce patches or workarounds to tackle them”. However Microsoft, for SP2 to deal with this issue released a Hot-fix.
The SP2 update was supposed to have complete support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2(WPA2), the latest wireless security specification approved by the IEEE. But researchers have found that this update lacks in terms of compliance with WPA2. Since the Microsoft update does not have the WPA2 revisions, most enterprises using WLAN equipment with those (Extensible Authentication Protocol) EAP types will run into problems. John Pescatore on Gartner Inc has given an example of the situation by quoting “A business using Cisco PEAP or gear with EAP SIM will not have native Microsoft support, even with this WPA2 update. They will have to go out and buy a third-party plug-in,” However, a Microsoft spokesperson has responded to this by saying that the update provides support for the "highest level of standards-based wireless security available today." However, there was not explanation as to why the SP2 update for XP did not include or comply with the revised standards.
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