|
Microsoft Outlines New Security Efforts
by Arie Slob
Hello Windows users,
 In a speech at Microsoft Corp.'s inaugural Worldwide Partner Conference, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer outlined new initiatives in Microsoft's ongoing security efforts designed to address the increasing threats faced by computer users around the world. Ballmer announced new programs and technology investments to be delivered over the coming months, all of which reflect a companywide focus on increasing the security of millions of users and critical business systems worldwide. Specific actions will include these:
- Improved patch management processes, policies and technologies to help customers stay up to date and secure
- Global education programs to provide better guidance and tools for securing systems
- Updates to Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows Server™ 2003 with new safety technologies that will make Windows more resistant to attack even if patches do not yet exist or have not been installed
Microsoft is planning significant improvements that will help reduce the complexity of patch management, including new processes for patch distribution. Microsoft will move to monthly patch releases, reducing the burden on IT administrators by adding a level of increased predictability and manageability.
Microsoft will also be releasing new tools, including Microsoft's free Software Update Services 2.0, which will be released in the first half of 2004 and will provide a seamless patch, scanning and installation experience for Windows, SQL Server™, Office, Exchange Server and Visio®. Microsoft is also committed to consolidating the number of patch installers to two for Windows 2000-generation products by the first half of 2004, introducing rollback capability for all new patches, and reducing downtime by requiring 30 percent fewer reboots during deployment in the same time frame.
Updates to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
Steve Ballmer also announced Microsoft's new safety technologies designed to enable customers to more effectively protect their computers and systems from malicious attacks even if patches do not yet exist or have not yet been installed. These safety technologies will first ship in Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, planned for the first half of 2004, and subsequently in the Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003.
These security advancements for Windows XP will focus on protections against the four types of attacks that constitute the largest percentage of threats: port-based attacks, e-mail attacks, malicious Web content and buffer overruns.
Rose City Software
"I just LOVE Magic Notes. I can set quick reminders with the timer, schedule appts days weeks or months in advance, and shoot quick notes back and forth across the LAN and across the internet to my pals. I don't know what I ever did without it! It's.... MAGICAL!"
--James Hanson, USA
More Info - Trial Version [751 KB]
Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Updates
In the past week, Microsoft has released a number of updates for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, fixing a number of flaws:
- Outlook Express Leaks Memory When It Sends an Encrypted E-mail Message
- Text Box Retains Focus When You Click the Scrollbar in an IFRAME Element
- "HTTP 404 - File Not Found" Error Message When You Try to Visit Web Pages That Are Opened by JavaScript Functions in Frames or in Windows
More Details.
Recent Support BBS Postings
Pagefile Size and Clearing - Windows XP
Home Page Hijack - Internet Explorer
"Unmovable" files really fragmented - Windows 98
DSL VS. Cable - Networking
MS "Help and Support" not working... - Windows XP
Web Site Updates
These pages were added/updated in the past week. Information on previously updated/added pages is available on the What's New? page for 1 month.
InfiniSource.com
Added: How to surf the Internet more safely with Internet Explorer
Windows-Help.NET
Updated: Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Updates
Added: Microsoft Outlines New Initiatives in Ongoing Security Efforts
Added: How to surf the Internet more safely with IE
Added: Microsoft Releases Update for Windows Media Player
|
Highlights
Microsoft and Sun Agree on Maintenance License for MSJVM
Microsoft Corp. and Sun Microsystems Inc. this week announced an agreement under which Microsoft will extend its support for the MSJVM until Sept. 30, 2004. In addition, Microsoft and Sun have agreed to include links on Microsoft's Java Web site that will provide upgrade information and assistance to customers and developers currently using the MSJVM.
After next September, Microsoft will stop providing security updates and support; however, the software will continue to work after that date.
Microsoft Releases Update for Windows Media Player
This week, Microsoft released an update for all versions of Windows Media Player that would it more easy to manage the behavior of URL script commands.
Read Full Article
InfiniSource TechFile: How to surf the Internet more safely with Internet Explorer
This TechFile shows you how to make some simple changes in Internet Explorer that will give you some extra safety when browsing the Internet.
Read Full Article
Resources for Troubleshooting Startup Problems in Windows XP
This Microsoft Knowledge Base article shows you how to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows XP. After you follow the articles or steps in each section, try to start your computer to determine if the problem is resolved. If you still cannot start your computer, continue to the next section of the article.
Read Full Article
Amazon checks into Microsoft's Office
Microsoft announced a partnership Tuesday with retail giant Amazon.com under which the software giant will add links to Amazon services within its new Office applications.
Read Full C|Net Article
FREE Software: Karen's Drive Info
Learn the hidden secrets of your disk and CD-ROM drives. Are your files compressed? How big is each drive? Does the drive support Long File Names (LFN)? Karen's Drive Info reveals all this and more.
Download [816 KB]
Web site
Tell a friend about this Newsletter!
Need Help with Windows? Ask your questions here!
FREE Software!
Our Web Sites
Windows-Help.NET
WindowsBBS.com
InfiniSource.com
Rose City Software
Subscribe Free
|
11 Oct. 2003, Vol 6 No. 33
