Windows XP support to End?

If you are one of the estimated current 60% of Windows Computer Users with Windows XP do not be alarmed by the announcement of Windows ending mainstream support.   Laurence Painell, Windows marketing manager at Microsoft UK  states, “We will provide critical security fixes via Windows Update for all editions of XP until 2014.”  This means that the automatic Critical Updates feature of Windows XP will continue for many more years.

What this does mean is Software Developers will become focused on the Windows 7 edition that is soon to be the newest Windows Operating System.  So, as time progresses, new features that you might need or require will be on Software that is designed to work on the Windows 7 edition.

From a Security Standpoint upgrading to either Vista or Windows 7 is a good bet if you are not using a Limited User Account as a rule in Windows XP.  Especially, in a business situation.  No Anti-Malware Software is 100% in detection and protection so having a Operating System configuration that naturally protects against changes to the Registry or Key System files is essential to blocking Root-Kits from buring themselves on to the computer.

[Please pass this news along! From http://blog.napavalleysecurityconsulting.com]

Mysterious Windows Firewall Activation

Recent Windows Updates and other program changes can cause the default Windows Firewall to activate.  This is a problem if running another Firewall program since trusted Programs can be blocked and stop working properly when trying to access the Internet.  It is recommended to use a 3rd Party Firewall which has been tested to successfully defeat firewall termination  attacks.   To verify if the Windows Firewall is active see the detailed instructions found at page III-66 of the Computer Appliance Learning Maintenance Manual OR the quick guide for XP is to LEFT-CLICK on START, LEFT-CLICK on Control Panel, LEFT-CLICK on Windows Firewall.  In Vista, LEFT-CLICK the PEARL, type Security Center and press ENTER to reach the Windows Firewall settings.   If it is Green and active AND you ARE using a 3rd party Firewall go ahead and LEFT-CLICK on Off and LEFT-CLICK on OKAY.

Windows Update Causing Problems!

Services, drivers & Registry oh my!  A recent Windows Vista update caused problems for some computer users.  The challenge this time was certain computer coding, that was changed for security reasons, could not be reversed by using the RESTORE POINT feature of Windows XP & Vista.  [Not sure how to use this feature, get the PDF at BOOKLOCKER for loads of nuts & bolts information for both XP and VISTA computers.]

Some Hardware Drivers were affected stopping the associated device from working.  The Hardware Drivers are used by the computer to communicate to a Compact Disc (CD) player, for example.  It is similar to learning a language such as Spanish and being able to ask the Taxi Cab Driver to take you to the airport.  However, if the Taxi Driver suddenly got out and a Norwegian Driver got in you’d be stuck until you could learn Norwegian.  The Driver is the language, garble the language and the communication stops.

What to do?  In this particular case, not much, but to wait for the uproar and maybe join in if you have the inclination.  Soon enough a follow-up patch will be issued that should correct the problem.  On an XP computer you can get the KB number of the Microsoft Update by using this utility (the download link is at the bottom of the webpage*) and search for solutions (in this utility RIGHT-CLICK on an item and LEFT-CLICK Open Web Link).  In Vista; LEFT-CLICK on the Windows PEARL (bottom left of screen), type in Windows Update, press ENTER, LEFT-CLICK  View update history and a list of updates is shown in the left pane.  You can copy the KB plus the number and use this to search for what people are saying.

If problems occur following an update or you suspect this, double check the update history.  Since, Windows automatically creates a Restore Point prior to performing an update and System Checkpoints are also regularly created, unless Restore Points is not activated on the computer, you can use one of these just prior to an update.  The update should be listed in the Restore Point Calendar and Vista lists the last 5 Restore Points.  If using a Restore Point returns the computer to good health the trick is to now change Automatic Updates to ask your approval prior to installation.  This way you can wait it out for the fix from Microsoft that should be forthcoming.   To do this in XP open the Control Panel, Double-Left-Click Automatic Updates, and Left-Click the radio button for Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.  Vista makes finding things easy, LEFT-CLICK on the Pearl and type in Automatic Updates.

Here’s to having control over the computer and it not controlling you!

[* Download the zip file, Right-Click on it and select Extract All and follow the instructions, Double-Left-Click on the executable (.exe) file and say okay to the pop-up warning.  The computer just wants to make sure you are the person starting this Program.]