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How Long is Too Long to Update?
StWaldo asks: "I'm sure everyone knows the story about the life expectancy of an fresh, un-updated PC, once it's connected to the internet. What about a PC which just hasn't been updated in a while? I've been deployed in Iraq for the last 9 months, and haven't been able to hook up my laptop to the internet to get updates (I do HAVE access, just can't hook up a personal laptop, gov't only). Before I deployed, I would update my software (system, anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware, etc) regularly, but as I get closer to coming back to the States and my broadband connection, I'm beginning to wonder what the life expectancy of my PC will be. What's the lifecycle of a security exploit, hack, virus, etc - between discovery/release, propagation, and extinction (or a state approaching extinction)?"
...with an unprotected connection? Who cares?
1. Put your computer behind literally any personal firewall/router (Linksys, DLink, etc.) that can be had - wireless and wired or both - for under $50.
2. If you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), just make sure the firewall for your network connection is still enabled; it is by default on SP2, and Security Center will warn you if it isn't. Unless you explicitly disabled it, it will still be enabled.
If you don't yet have Service Pack 2, simply enable the Windows firewall (Internet Connection Firewall) for any network interface(s) you have. This can be done on the Advanced tab of each connection's Properties.
3. There is no step 3.
There's nothing you have to do other than ensure you have a software firewall enabled, and optionally have your machine behind a nice little personal firewall/router. Then it doesn't matter how long it's been or what exploits are out there[1].
That's it. Even the built-in Windows software firewall on a machine with no patches or service packs installed will protect a Windows XP system. Seem simple? It is. One wonders why it took Microsoft *so long* to make it the default.
[1] Sure, there may be exploits that affect browsers or other aspects of the system that could be exploited by *visiting malicious sites*, but the machine, just sitting there, won't be vulnerable. If all you're going to do is immediately update everything anyway, you have nothing to worry about.
Turn on your windows firewall. Then start windows *BEFORE* connecting to the internet. Once you're finished starting windows, connect and download your patches, etc.
;-)
Repeat as necessary.
P.S. don't forget to download Firefox for a safer browsing
Don't do it. For the love of bob, don't do it. Make sure your computer is behind a firewall and only then should you connect. The first thing you should do is get all the latest security updates for Windows. NOTHING ELSE. NO WEB BROWSING at this point.
Once that install/reboot cycle is complete, grab the latest updates for your antivirus and antispyware system. For extra security, make sure you perform a complete scan for viruses and spyware after all the updates are complete.
Once that install/reboot cycle is complete, update the rest of your applications.
Under no circumstances should you attempt this without being behind a secure firewall. Even if you are, you still have to be very very careful (hence, no web browsing until your computer is up to date on Windows and antivirus updates).
Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.
I think the doom and gloom may be overstating the dangers here.
My wife hadn't touched her laptop computer in 6 months. She fired it up, it was updated in 5 minutes and she was fine.
Two things helped:
a hardware firewall
It already had XP SP2
If that's your situation, just fire it up and go.
You were mistaken. Which is odd, since memory shouldn't be a problem for you
Obligatory reference to Average PC survival time
http://www.transparency.org
Your life expectancy, depending on what sites you go to, is about 4 minutes before you have 60 pieces of spyware, which then turn into 200 in about a half-hour. At least, that's my test on my Dual Xeon, with Windows XP SP2.
Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.
AutopatcherXP is released pretty much monthly an is a conglomeration of all security updates, patches, etc.. any time i've had to install/reinstall XP onto someone's machine, i've grabbed the latest autopatcher and slapped it on my thumbdrive, and took it with me. requires no getting online on the new system until you're all done. safer that way, and i've had no issues doing it that way.
You are trying to update an existing system, not build a fresh one. Using a cheap hardware firewall (like a linksys router) will keep most evil at bay while you do the update. Better to download the big security rollups and service packs from a current machine, burn to cd or thumbdrive, and install those on your box before you connect to the net.
8 6 for a nice pointer to all the patches you should snag. Get the major ones and you should be OK to just do an update.
Check out http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=318
+++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
I have a CD handy with XP service pack 2, as well as antivirus, antispyware, firewall, FireFox, etc. That way, I can get a computer up to speed before even reconnecting it to the internet. After the basics are covered, it's much safer to connect and do the fine-tuning. The same would apply to other versions of windows.
If you can't burn a CD from another computer, and you're pre-XP SP2, you might be better off operating behind a hardware firewall until the updates are completed.
Also remember that if you have a minor bug before completing updates, you can usually clean the system after you're up to speed (antivirus, antispyware, etc). The main issue with the auto-infect feature of new systems is that most users won't take the time to clean the system or even investigate if it's infected.
Very poor advice. It should be 1) disconnect from the network 2) turn on the computer 3) enable the firewall 4) hook up to the internet 5) download all updates.
Its not like someone is waiting for you to get home and get ya as soon as you connect.
Uh, yes they are. What do you think all those people scanning ports are doing? All the viris that spread automatically are looking for unprotected systems all the time which is exactly what this fellow would have using your directions.
according to SANS.