Critical Security Updates Coming To Windows XP, 8, RT & Server

SmartAboutThings writes "On the upcoming Patch Tuesday on July 9, Microsoft is going to bring some notable security updates, that will mostly deal with fixing issues in remote code execution vulnerabilities, which allow attackers to breach in. The security updates will be applied to all Windows versions Microsoft is still supporting (from XP to Windows 8.1)"

Comments

A request...

[Anachragnome]

I do not have the ability to do so, but could someone that is able to do so please make a close comparison before/after changes?

They might be trying to cover their tracks in terms NSA backdoors--hide the evidence to minimize the coverage--and the changes they make with updates might shed some light on those backdoors.

Re:A request...

[Anachragnome]

"Either it's a big conspiracy or someone modded five people up and then decided to post in the thread thereby undoing their mods."

While that may be, there are many here on Slashdot that have long been accused of being "Conspiracy Theorists"--myself included--that have been vindicated by the "conspiracy" exposed by Edward Snowden.

All I am asking is that people here be aware that there are many methods to stifle dissent, and that social media (Slashdot included) is now a powerful tool to both monitor and shape public opinion. And lets be serious about the readership of Slashdot--there are many great minds sharing ideas here on Slashdot (I really don't include myself in this category)--and some of those great minds don't necessarily agree with our government. I'd really like to hear NewYorkCountryLawyer's opinions on all of this.

Isn't this the entire purpose of the Prism program, to monitor and minimize the actions of those that don't agree with our government? Hasn't there been enough proof that that program has been turned inwards, targeting US Citizens? Why wouldn't they attempt to manipulate public opinion at this juncture? Why would they ignore any potential means of doing so?

I stand by my previous statements and allusions--Slashdot is being manipulated to both sway public opinion against Edward Snowden and to minimize the damage to the security apparatus.

"The NSA is too busy tapping your phone to bother with slashdot posts."

30000 to 40000 employees.

"In 2012 John C. Inglis, the deputy director, said that the total number of NSA employees is "somewhere between 37,000 and one billion" as a joke." Wikipedia

Re:A request...

[xiando]

All I am asking is that people here be aware that there are many methods to stifle dissent, and that social media (Slashdot included) is now a powerful tool to both monitor and shape public opinion.

I first noticed that some subjects and opinions are silently removed from Slashdot back in 2004. Glad you're finally catching on. Using a site with a high number of visitors? Expect this sort of thing.

Re:Why?

[Anonymous Coward]

I believe that does happen, yes. But you seem to be replying to a post that denies there being a problem in the first place.

Re:Why?

[Anonymous Coward]

Probably just the zero day vunerabilities that NSA are using, would be such a bitch if Snowden would choose to publish them

Information thats been set free is useful, isn't it ?

This is news?

[JDG1980]

Doesn't Microsoft patch these kind of security holes every Patch Tuesday? How is this one special?

their patches can no longer be trusted

[0111 1110]

All joking aside, can any of us trust their patches now that it has been comfirmed that Microsoft is effectively a branch of the NSA? What percentage of these updates were sponsored and ordered by the NSA? Are only 30% of the changes for the benefit of the NSA? 70%? There is no way to know.

Re:CPU support vs. GPU support

[hairyfeet]

All that misses the point which is UNLIKE LINUX with windows....drumroll...the old drivers fucking work! ZOMFG its a miracle,Ballmer must be related to jeebus because i can take this circa 2004 AMD driver disc and IT STILL WORKS even in XP Sp3 with the latest patches! You try getting a nine year old driver, fuck you try getting a 4 year old driver to work in Linux and smell the fail!

That is the ABI difference, and why all OEMs treat Linux like ass cancer, because Windows only changes the driver model when there is a DAMNED good reason to and they try their damnedest NOT to break drivers, the polar opposite of Linux. In windows there is only 2 current driver models, the 2K/XP driver model and the Vista/7/8/8.x driver model...notice something there? Like how 2k and XP (and often even later as i have run XP drivers in Vista/7 for old hardware and had them run fine) can use the SAME DRIVERS and how the same goes for Vista on up?

At the end of the day that is why people would rather steal windows than take Linux for free,because once you get a Windows system running barring user stupidity (why yes i want to win a free iPod, I'll just run Iz_Not_Viruz_is_Entry.exe) or hardware failure that windows system will run, fully supported mind you, for a solid decade without a single driver problem. So AMD dropped support,who gives a fuck? Who is gonna be stupid enough to buy a $400+ card and stick it into an old Pentium 4 running Windows XP? Meanwhile any card that even had just a Vista driver will keep running past the 2020 EOL for Win 7, the 2022 for Win 8, the 2023 for 8.1, so who gives a rat's ass if it ever gets another driver when they have already squeezed as much performance as they can from the hardware?

You see the batshit Linux logic simply doesn't apply to Windows, all Windows users need is a single solid driver and it'll work for the life of the OS, hell just ask my GF, she is running an HD2400XT in windows 7 right now and that is...what? Something like a 6 or 7 year old card? Purrs like a kitten.