Microsoft wants Automatic Update for Windows

Edward Dao writes "After the embarassment of last week's blaster worm, Microsoft is weighing the possibility of automatic update. Microsoft not only wants to upload the latest patch on to users' computer but also installing it for them." This will work out really well for everyone I'm sure. Yikes! Can I at least press 'Ok' first?

Comments

oh yeah?

[krisp]

Of course, this will be implemented in such a way that implantinga fake RR for windowsupdate.microsoft.com into a local name serverallows Windows to download and run any file with a certian file name. This should make it far eaiser to fool Windows Update into installing Linux.
This will make Linux rollouts a breeze after buying all those Dells.

Imagine the possibilities!

Then again, the Microsoft Tax is cheaper then the SCO tax.

Does this mean..

[DiS[EnDeR]]

they want to reboot my computer without informing me?

Bye Bye Bruce

[kindbud]

"I have always been a fierce enemy of the Microsoft update feature, because I just don't like the idea of someone else -- particularly Microsoft -- controlling my system," said Bruce Schneier, co-founder of Counterpane Internet Security Inc. "Now, I think it's great, because it gets the updates out to the non-technically savvy masses, and that's the majority of Internet users. Security is a trade-off, to be sure, but this is one trade-off that's worthwhile."

And that concludes our evaluation of Counterpane's security consulting services. Have a nice day. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Bruce.

Perspective

[mukund]

if (company_trusts_microsoft_code())
{
use_windows_OS();
allow_auto_updates();
}
else
use_some_other_OS();

/*
junk code

bitch();
moan();
flail_arms_wildly();
*/

Re:Not such a bad idea

[RoLi]

Those shouldn't be done automatically anyway. Only security patches should be automatic.

And Windows shouldn't crash. And there should be no war and no hunger. And there should be no need for any patches in the first place.