ooh ooh uh... another one

[kiyani]

Microsoft 'critical' flaw warning


Remind me why do we use windows?

Here is the thing; these flaws which have been popping up in the past year are the ones that have been discovered. Imagine all the ones that have not been discovered. Is the convenience of plug an play really worth leaving your computer files open to anyone?

[Ansoon]

kiyani y don't you use linux? NO i don't use linux as my primary OS and i will stick with Windows.. but if you have so many complains about Windows then switch.. no one is forcing you to use Windows.. everything comes with a price.. so its ur choice

[g3nu1n3]

Every major software on any major OS platform is exposed to bugs ... thats a FACT and the sooner you realize it and take precautions against it ... the better you will be. Linux, MacOs and windows are no exception to that ... THATS WHAT SECURITY UPDATES are all about ... why do u install antivirus updates if installing antivirus for the first time was only needed.

The only wise solutions is to keep up with updates.

for the situation at hand ....

========================================
go to web site ...
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...n/winfeb04.asp
... for critical updates
========================================

meanwhile the critical ie update was mentioned by me in this forum on 3rd feb. see link: http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showt...hreadid=137743

KEEP UP WITH UPDATES !!!

[nomaan]

when i can play all the games that i want to on linux, then i'll switch ..\

[Ansoon]

Originally posted by nomaan:
when i can play all the games that i want to on linux, then i'll switch ..\

and until then you will have to patch ur OS ..

[g3nu1n3]

if u think linux doent need updates and fixes ....

https://www.redhat.com/apps/support/errata/
and
http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/advisories/

[fizion]

Originally posted by g3nu1n3:
if u think linux doent need updates and fixes ....

https://www.redhat.com/apps/support/errata/
and
http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/advisories/

well every Os,application has vunerabillites, that need to be fixed, but linux has less than windows operating system.
one should use which suites their needs.

[Najim]

Kiyani, you can use MAC.

BTW, the games lovers can install wine from http://www.winehq.com & play any windows game on Linux.

By installing Linux you get around 80% immune from Viruses but still you need to patch you machine from time to time, depending upon if you are running the service that needs updating.

I usually keep an eye on patches released for Linux & only update those that I need or I am running.

Same rule applies to Solaris & MAC as well.

The only good thing in Linux is that not all users can do everything on the machine even if they are added to root group. So when a virus needs execution, it cant modify systems settings because root privileges are needs. No users even being in root group can change /etc/rc* structure or start a system level demon but root. Same rule can be applied to windows too but unfortunately 90% windows users assign Administrators power to their users account & thats where the problem starts.

In Linux unless u are running a server for public, use TCP WRAPPERS they are usually installed as default (if not then install them), open access on those IPs u need to, rest block them. If you are running a vulnerable machine but with TCP Wrappers (on specific service) it is pretty much safe apart from the IPs you have given access to.

[g3nu1n3]

Its not to start a rant war ... but here is some thing that needs to be addressed ...

Originally posted by Najim:
BTW, the games lovers can install wine from http://www.winehq.com & play any windows game on Linux.

Wine is an EMULATOR .... emulators come no way near the performance of a real engine .. if some one is thinking of running a high end 3D graphical game ... u can forget about WINE or even LINDOWS to do the task ... its just like people install PS2 emulators on PC hoping to get the same out of the PC but all they wind up getting more frustrated.

By installing Linux you get around 80% immune from Viruses but still you need to patch you machine from time to time, depending upon if you are running the service that needs updating.

If you are a VIRUS creator who will u select the target audience ... some 10% to 20% *nix market or the rest of the world which run on windows platform ... thats why most of the viral attacks are against Windows ... had the situation been the other way around ... consider the number of attacks on *nix market when half of the distributions are OPEN SOURCE.

The only good thing in Linux is that not all users can do everything on the machine even if they are added to root group .... Same rule can be applied to windows too but unfortunately 90% windows users assign Administrators power to their users account & thats where the problem starts.

WELL SAID .... considering the corporate environment ... its almost an un-written principle to put the users on a restrictive environment and not allowing them to MISTAKELY invite evil on thier pc's, thats where POLICIES, FIREWALLS, SECURITY MONITORING systems come into place .... its the GENERAL HOME USER that needs to learn to PLAY IT SAFE as no one says thats internet is a piece of apple pie or totally harmless for a newbie.

In Linux unless u are running a server for public, use TCP WRAPPERS they are usually installed as default (if not then install them), open access on those IPs u need to, rest block them. If you are running a vulnerable machine but with TCP Wrappers (on specific service) it is pretty much safe apart from the IPs you have given access to.

Like said before proper firewalls in place can help SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE the security threats .... the Windows default firewall is realy quite weak as compared to the commercial ones ... many freeware alternatives are around for home users to grab.

Meanwhile, Windows XP Service Pack 2 expected in mid of this year is supposed to address many of these issues. With a sane head you can keep ur pc safe and sound from all threats .

[g3nu1n3]

and Najim bhai u closed the thread http://www.gupistan.com/forums/showt...76#post2257771 without listening my side of the story....

Both the Windows flaws threads initiated in this form came AFTER my post of the "Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (832894)".

Both of the threads had mentioned the same vulnerability as was addressed by the patch mentioned before by me.

so i was refering to the fact that it was actually ALREADY ADDRESSED issue .. tripple posted !!!

hope every thing is cleared

Moreover if some vulnerability news is found and the patch is around special care must be taken to let people know both the NEWS and the WORKAROUND or PATCH for the vulnerability and NOT JUST THE NEWS rather than leaving them on their fate.

[kiyani]

Originally posted by nomaan:
when i can play all the games that i want to on linux, then i'll switch ..\

what ganes do you want to play?


as for ansoon i do use linux... i agree not all the time