I have received the following notification from Microsoft informing about approaching release of Windows XP Service Pack 2, and the steps necessary to get the security oriented upgrade...
Microsoft continually works to improve its software. As part of this effort, we develop updates and fixes to recognized issues and release them for use by customers. On a regular basis, we combine many of these fixes into a single package and make the package available for customers to install on their computers. These packages are called Service Packs.
Available soon, SP2 will bring users the latest security updates and innovations from Microsoft. It will establish stronger security settings that help defend against viruses, hackers, and worms and will provide unique new security features designed to make it easier for you to protect your PC.
Get Ready for SP2: Turn On Automatic Updates Today The best way to ensure you get SP2 when it is released is by turning on the Automatic Updates feature in Windows XP. Visit the Protect Your PC site to let us turn it on for you or follow these manual steps-either way you'll get SP2 automatically as Microsoft releases it.
Turning on Automatic Updates today allows your PC to begin downloading important updates automatically, including the latest version of Windows Update. It also ensures you will receive future updates, such as SP2.
The hapless Minneapolis teenager who unleashed the MSBlast.B variant of the MSBlaster worm pleaded guilty to the crime yesterday in the US District Court in Seattle. He'll be sentenced in November.
Jeffrey Lee Parson admitted that he created MSBlast.B last summer by adding a backdoor to MSBlaster. Federal prosecutors say that the backdoor, which gave Parson control of compromised computers, made the worm far more dangerous than its predecessor. "Sending out a computer worm may be viewed as a harmless prank," US Attorney John McKay said yesterday. "But the damage to individual computer users is very real, and the penalties are also very real."
Microsoft has entered into three deals designed to bolster its MSN Movies site, adding new features such as movie rentals and downloads. MSN signed agreements with Blockbuster for DVD movie rentals. It also teamed up with CinemaNow for movie and TV show downloads. These new features come at a time when movie watchers have been turning to delivery services, such as Netflix, to dish up movies without leaving home.
A new patent battle is brewing -- this time over Microsoft's claim over Caller ID for E-Mail. F. Scott Deaver, owner of Failsafe Designs, says Microsoft is guilty of the "outright theft" of his product name and intellectual property (IP), and will seek legal and financial redress from the Redmond, Wash., software giant and anyone else that uses his technology that verifies e-mail is coming from the domain it claims.
Redmond's readying customers for its big SP2 'push,' which will commence Aug. 16. Since Microsoft began its staged rollout of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) late last week, there have been a few bumps-but, at least so far, no major potholes-on the road to deployment.
But some customers who want the service pack still can't get it. And other users who aren't ready to deploy it yet are finding themselves needing to take extra precautions to block SP2 from downloading automatically.
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as in other schools across the country, computer science enrollments are dropping, raising questions about the country's future tech leadership.
This fall, there are just under 200 new undergraduate majors in MIT's electrical engineering and computer science department, down from about 240 last year and roughly 385 three years ago.
The Rutgers University computer science department has canceled some course sections and expects total enrollment in classes in the major this year to be thousands less than its peak of 6,500 several years ago. Saul Levy, chair of the undergraduate computer science program, said the ongoing decline stems from the way students perceive career prospects.
Microsoft is getting ready to release a cheap, easy-to-use version of Windows XP for developing markets. Windows XP Starter Edition--an inexpensive version of Microsoft's flagship operating system that does not contain as many features as the standard version--will begin shipping on PCs in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in October, said Maggie Wilderotter, senior vice president for the worldwide public sector at Microsoft.
Microsoft is trotting out new pricing options for its hosted Live Meeting Web conferencing. Added to the mix are new named-user and conference room models. In the former, companies pay for individuals who then can have as many meetings as they want with up to 15 participants, according to Jennifer Callison, director of product management. Pricing starts at $180 per person for the standard edition or $300 per person for the professional edition which adds application sharing, handouts, and recordings to the mix.
The head of Microsoft's Japan unit acknowledged yesterday that the company's battle with Japanese anti-monopoly authorities over a controversial licensing clause has hurt its corporate image here.
But Michael Rawding, Microsoft Japan's president and chief executive, said the company will continue to oppose a Fair Trade Commission ruling last month ordering Microsoft to retroactively remove the clause from its licensing agreements.
Europe's antitrust regulatory body could restart its probe into Oracle's unsolicited bid for PeopleSoft as soon as next month, according to published reports.
The European Commission, the regulatory body of the European Union, is following its U.S. counterparts in an evaluation of the now $7.7 billion transaction that would join Redwood Shores, Calif-based Oracle and Pleasanton, Calif.-based PeopleSoft. After its initial inquiry, the commission had suspended its investigation back in April as it wanted to wait for the U.S. courts to resolve its case.