DIY Service Pack For Windows 2000/XP/2003

Karsten Violka writes "Looking for manageable Windows updates even without an internet connection? Heise's script collection Offline Update 3.0 downloads the entire body of fresh updates for Windows 2000, XP, or Server 2003 from Microsoft's servers in one fell swoop and then uses them to create ISO-Images for CD or DVD. Included is an intelligent installer script that allows you to update as many PCs as desired." Sounds like a great idea, given the danger of putting an unpatched PC on the Internet to download security updates.

Comments

Danger?

[dedazo]

Sounds like a great idea, given the danger of putting an unpatched PC on the Internet to download security updates.

A "danger" that is eliminated with a rinky $25 NAT router.

Re:Or just buy the firewall you should have anyway

[mcrbids]

Perhaps the key difference is this:

I can put an unpatched RedHat Linux system on the public Internet and download patches without worrying about it. In fact, I routinely use such systems AS the router/firewall for other systems!

If you hear people around here saying things like "Windows is insecure and/or isn't really ready for the Internet", that's because it's true, or you wouldn't need that stupid $25 router in the first place!

The fact that you can't even imagine a server without a dedicated firewall in front of it speaks volumes.