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  • Black Tuesday inconsequential

    Posted on September 12th, 2012 at 17:45 woody 19 comments

    This month’s Black Tuesday includes two Security Bulletins – both of which only apply to servers.

    Unless you’re running Windows Server, you can sit back and relax. I’ll keep us at MS-DEFCON 4. Get your Windows and other Microsoft software patched.

     

    19 responses to “Black Tuesday inconsequential”

    1. Re Update Rollup for ActiveX Killbits For Windows XP (KB 2736233), Microsoft Update pronounced it successfully installed on Tuesday, but Wednesday morning it reoffered.
      I installed it again, and MU pronounced it successfully installed. Add-Removes shows it installed September 12, 2012.

      The quirky aftermath of the second installation, is that the yellow update icon has reappeared twice. First, reoffering to download the aforementioned update. Second, offering to download a non-specified update. On both of these occasions, nothing appeared when using Express or Custom of Microsoft Update.

      The yellow icon disappeared soon after clicking on each occasion.

      Waiting to see if it reappears. If it doesn’t I’ll be a nice guy and say there’s rhyme to MU’s reason.

    2. Woody,
      I ran Windows Update. Twice, actually. Two parts got left behind. Now I ran Secunia and it says Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) 4X is insecure.
      I’m feeling pretty insecure myself, by now. And I’m afraid to drink a cup of java…..
      Morty

    3. @Morty -

      Put DOWN that Java!

      Not sure why Secunia is prompting for MSXML. I’d update through Windows Update, and ignore Secunia on this one.

    4. @Van -

      Noted. Oy….

    5. Woody,

      These are the updates I was offered, with notes from me:

      1. Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2719857)
      You cannot use an USB RNDIS device to connect to a 3G or 4G network in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2
      ME: I DON’T USE A 3G OR 4G NETWORK WITH MY LAPTOP.

      2. Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2735855)
      Network connection is slow when you run a WFP-based application on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2
      ME: I USE A WIRELESS ROUTER FOR FREE INTERNET IN MY BUILDING, BUT AM NOT ON A NETWORK. DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?

      3. Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2741355)
      You cannot start Windows Movie Maker 2012 when a graphics card that only supports DirectX 9 is installed on a Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer
      ME: I DON’T HAVE/USE WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER.

      4. Update Rollup for ActiveX Killbits for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2736233)

      5. Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 – September 2012 (KB890830)

      QUESTIONS:

      a. Should I disregard/hide updates #’s 1-3?

      b. Should we all avoid #4 until we hear more if there is a problem (as reported by another poster)?

      I’m going to install #5 while I wait to hear back on the rest. Thanks, Woody!

    6. I have had no further reoffering, so I’ll deem the update KB2736233 successful.

      Sidenote: The incessant Silverlight optional update hasn’t appeared for a while. Happy days are here again…maybe.

    7. Woody,
      Thanks. I caught myself before installing it. A little voice told me “Ask Woody first!” I just permanently deleted the MSXML download from the Recycle bin! I guess I earned my aluminum beanie!
      Morty

    8. Morty – Me too! Thanks, Woody for the advice. What is this thing?

    9. Woody, are you saying we should go ahead and install this month’s current patches? I’m running Win 7 on a 64-bit machine and I’ve got 5 patches listed as important.

    10. @Tim -

      Yes. You’re seeing old patches – unless you’re running Server…

    11. @Jack -

      #1 to #3 sound like “recommended” updates, and look like they’re totally avoidable.

      #4 is worth installing. ActiveX is being phased out, thank heaven, and the more of it you can get killed the better.

      #5 is definitely worth installing. In general, the MSRT updates are always worth running.

    12. Thanks, Woody!

      So I just checked, and updates #1-#3 I listed above are actually listed as “Important” (though I agree they sound like recommended). But I can go ahead and just “hide” them anyways?

    13. @Jack -

      They sound like they’re completely superfluous, but I’d say go ahead and install them anyway, if they’re “important” on your system.

    14. Hey Woody,

      You know what, #1 and #3 say “Recommended” over on the right in their description even though they’re listed as “Important”. And #2 doesn’t even say that, so I’m thinking I can skip them. It looks like Windows Update lists all updates that aren’t “Optional” under “Important” but then in their actual desription over on the right side it says if they’re actually important or not. So I guess none of these are… Ah, Microsoft! :)

    15. @Jack -

      AHA! That makes sense. Yes, ignore at will!

    16. KB2719857 caused my Windows 7 64 Bit computer to slow down significantly. Especially slowed access to printers. Devices and printers fails to load. I was able to isolate the problem to this update.

    17. @Bob -

      Interesting. That looks like another hardware driver update delivered via Windows Update that just plain screwed up…

    18. My Windows XP listings were just Active X Killbits and MSRT. Ran both with no serious consequences.

      Windows 7 on the other laptop looked just like Jack’s list. Last Thursday’s paid Windows secrets Newsletter article by Susan Bradley explained just what these (1)-(3) patches are. They’re only of interest in special situations where Windows 7 users are connecting with devices or networks. Not needed for the rest of us.

    19. My pirated win xp pro sp3 with pirated nod 4 antivirus is not compatible with this double update of active x and its browser part they were uninstalled with time delay approx 1 hour
      Caused blue screen of death first time since os was installed ie 2004

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