Tag: Security

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Microsoft Patch Tuesday for April 10, 2007

It’s the second Tuesday of the month, it’s time for Microsoft software patches.

Get it from Windows Update/Microsoft Update
or
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/
From Microsoft Security bulletin:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms07-apr.mspx

Critical Updates (5)

Important Update (1)

Known issue with the “Windows Cursor” patch:

CNET News reported that “Windows cursor patch” is causing troubles on some computers. Apparently the update is not compatible with Realtek device drivers. The Windows cursor patch causes Realtek ethernet and audio drivers stop working.

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Windows Cursor Patch, Bonjour, and HP LaserJet 2015

Microsoft released the “Windows cursor patch” on Tuesday (04.03.2007) a week ahead of their usual “Patch Tuesday.” There has been reports that the patch is incompatible with some Realtek device drivers.

For some reasons, a number of computers running Windows XP are no longer able printing to a networked HP LaserJet 2015DN through Bonjour. The rest of the computers in the same office running Windows 2000 (through Bonjour), Mac OS X (also through Bonjour) and Linux (through LPR) can still print to the same printer.

Not sure if the Windows cursor patch caused this, but the the problem started after the update was applied.

I’ll figure out what really went wrong.

I have been using HP LaserJet 2015DN for about six weeks now, and liking it a lot. I’ll post a review about it later on.

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Windows Network Problem

04.12.2007 UPDATE
CNET is reporting Windows DNS Flaw exploit
http://news.com.com/2100-7349_3-6175743.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-5&subj=news
I’m not sure if this is the case.

—

Here’s the situation.

  • Windows 2000 Server acts as Domain Controller
  • Any DNS query errors redirected to 69.25.212.153
  • Effects computers in Domain/Active Directory running Windows 2000 and Windows XP

I suspect that there’s some kind of ARP Poisoning on the server itself.

I’ll update this soon…

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The Trouble with Windows Patches

CNET News reported that “Windows cursor patch” is causing troubles on some computers. Apparently the update is not compatible with Realtek device drivers. The Windows cursor patch causes Realtek ethernet and audio drivers stop working.

I experienced the same thing on Tueasday (04.03.2007) after applying the Windows cursor patch on numerous computers. The audio devices stopped working and Windows reported a “generic svchost error” consistently. On some computers, the problem can be mitigated by reinstalling the drivers. On some other computers, the problem was a lot more severe.

A few weeks ago my coleague and I encountered a similar “generic svchost error” on numerous computers. The problem seemed to happen after Microsoft rolled out the new “Windows Genuine Advantage” update.

read more:

svchost.exe — application error the instruction at “0x745f2780” reference memory at “0x00000000”. the memory could not be ‘read’

http://swigartconsulting.blogs.com/tech_blender/2006/07/windows_update_.html

to be continued….

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Microsoft Patches Critical Windows Cursor Security Hole

Microsoft releases patch for the “animated cursor” security hole.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms07-apr.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS07-017.mspx

From Microsoft TechNet Security Bulletin:

Affected Software:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 – Download the update
  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 – Download the update
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 – Download the update
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 – Download the update
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems – Download the update
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 – Download the update
  • Windows Vista – Download the update
  • Windows Vista x64 Edition – Download the update

Related News:
CNET – Cursor hole puts Windows PCs at risk
CNET – Microsoft plugs ‘critical’ Windows cursor hole

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Apple Releases iTunes 7.1.1

Apple updates iTunes again, 11 days after version 7.1 was released.

iTunes 7.1.1 addresses a stability issue and minor compatibility problems in iTunes 7.1.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

In somewhat related news, Apple has also re-released iPod shuffle Reset Utility and renamed it to simply iPod Reset Utility. The utility supports 1st and 2nd generation iPod shuffle. (03.15.2007)

About iPod Reset Utility 1.0 for Windows

Use iPod Reset Utility to restore the following iPod models back to their factory settings, when iTunes is unable to do so:
– iPod shuffle (1st Generation)
– iPod shuffle (2nd Generation)

iPod Reset Utility 1.0 for Mac – 3.4MB
iPod Reset Utility 1.0 for Windows – 2.2MB

If you’re using Windows Vista and iTunes, please read the following Apple knowledgebase:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305042