Windows XP patches on CD

Mon Jun 21 13:21:55 2004 Windows XP patches on CD

Posted by Tony Lawrence
Search Keys: windows updates patches
Referencing: http://www.autopatcher.com/autopatcherxp.html

I found this in the comments of a Slashdot article: How To Avoid Viruses At Windows Install Time?. The problem, of course, is that you have to connect to the net to get Windows updates, and that can put you at risk for immediate attack if you aren't behind a firewall router as you should be. The obvious solution is to use a firewall, but unfortunately too many home users just don't. If you are one of those, you need to wake up to reality: you need to be behind a firewall. Putting a firewall on your computer itself is a good idea, but a hardware device BEFORE packets get to your computer is the first thing you should do.

There are more reasons to have the patches conveniently available: when I want to do a bunch of machines at once, I have to search out some convenient network storage space, and that isn't always readily available - easier to have a CD.

You can also download updates directly from Microsoft but they insist that you be running IE to do so. I don't know whether that's stupidity or paranoia, but there it is. Buncha maroons, I think. But that's nothing new.

Speaking of patches, don't forget that you may need to re-apply updates and patches if you use System Restore (Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore in XP).

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