Update for Windows XP (KB929120)

Brief Description
Australia has implemented Daylight Saving Time in the West Australia (Perth) time zone starting in December 2006 for a trial period of three years.

Overview
Australia has implemented Daylight Saving Time in the West Australia (Perth) time zone starting in December 2006 for a trial period of three years. Install this update to enable your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date. After you install this update, you may have to restart your computer.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Service Pack 2
  

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6bacc2d7-e643-4a58-a377-07309ab7ed4d&displaylang=en

 

Sun Java™ Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 10

Java 5.0 Update 10

Current Version:  1.5.0_10-b03

Release notes

Download

Verify Your Version:
Version Check

 

Windows Desktop Search 2.6.6 (KB926356)

Brief Description
Windows Desktop Search (WDS) helps you find virtually anything on your PC or your networked drives including e-mail messages, calendar appointments, documents, and more.

Overview
Windows Desktop Search (WDS) helps you find virtually anything on your PC or your networked drives including e-mail messages, calendar appointments, documents, and more. Searching your computer is now as fast and easy as searching the Web. WDS 2.6.6 extends the value of desktop search by providing improvements in stability and in performance.

Note WDS 2.6.6 can be installed as a New Install or as an Upgrade from 02.06.xxxx. On an upgrade from 02.06.5000.5401, your index will not need to be rebuilt.

This download package includes the Update.exe, ADM File and Admin Guide. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=64660b3b-5e0d-4c66-accd-9bea8d6760cb&displaylang=en

Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications

Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications

Brief Description
Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is a tool to help reduce software piracy. This tool will confirm that the copy of Windows installed on the PC is genuine and properly licensed. If it is not genuine, the tool will provide periodic reminders to help you take the appropriate action.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP; Windows XP Home Edition ; Windows XP Media Center Edition; Windows XP Professional Edition ; Windows XP Starter Edition; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=b308d840-b1ee-4d55-ad5e-68b21aed1b6f&displaylang=en

 

RogueRemover Version 1.02

RogueRemover update history

Version 1.02 (11/25/06)

Program: [76 applications listed]

1. Added information about each rogue application in the 'Programs targetted' list.

2. Minor bugfix in update function.

Definitions:

[Added]
MalwareWiper, MyNetProtector, MySpyProtector, Spyware Cops, SysProtect

[Updated]
No definitions were updated.

[Removed]
No applications were delisted.

[Notes]
Added feature to double click results list to view more information.

Info:   http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover_history.php

Download:   http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover.ph 

RogueRemover 1.01

RogueRemover 1.01 NEW!
Version 1.01 (11/22/06)

Program: [71 applications listed]
Added rogue driver cleaners to the description, rogue registry cleaners will be added soon. No bugfixes included in v1.01.

Definitions:

[Added]
Adware Cops, AdwareStriker, BPS Spyware Remover, DriveCleaner 2006, Spy Sniper, SpyStriker, Trust Cleaner, TZ Spyware Remover, Ultimate Cleaner, VirusBlaster, WinAntiVirus 2007

[Updated]
Ultimate Defender (+3)

[Removed]
Adware Filter, SpyNoMore

[Notes]
'VirusBurst' was renamed to 'VirusBursters'.

Download:   http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover.php

View:   http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover_history.php

Western Australian Daylight Savings Changes for Microsoft Windows for the Year 2006/2007

Brief Description

Western Australia is introducing daylight saving for a trial period commencing December 3, 2006. Several Microsoft® products require updates in order to display the correct time during the daylight saving period.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c6a2c8fe-abda-4051-a24f-3ec933089747&displaylang=en

 

RogueRemover 1.00

RogueRemover 1.00 NEW!

Initial release. RogueRemover has the capabilities to remove over 60 different types of rogue antispyware applications.

RogueRemover is a utility that can remove various rogue antispyware and antivirus utilities. Rogue antispyware applications are applications that rather than remove spyware, provide false positives, distribute malware or spyware, advertise, or provide useless uninstallers. The main point is that rogue antispyware applications are useless and eat up system resources.

RogueRemover has the ability to completely remove over 60 rogue applications including WinAntiSpyware/WinAntiVirus, SpyAxe, VirusBlast, VirusBurst and many more!

Simply download RogueRemover from the link below. Unzip to a convenient location such as C:\RogueRemover. Navigate to the folder you unzipped the files to and double click on the file named RogueRemover.exe. Finally, select Scan and the program will walk you through the remaining steps.

Compatible with Windows 2000, NT, XP[/quote]

Download:    http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover.php

View:    http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover_history.php

 New version coming soon!!!

MediaFour announces MacDrive for Vista

Getting a Windows install up and running under Boot Camp is only half the battle. After you are successfully living in two operating systems you need to solve the problem of how to access your emails, documents and other files easily whichever OS you are using.

One way is to move everything online. Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Documents and the rest of Google's ever-growing online services seem to offer a platform-independent solution. But it's not without its problems.

Enter MacDrive, an amazing piece of software that allows you to use your Mac drives as normal under Windows. Just install it on any computer (or Boot Camped partition) running Windows XP or 2000, Server 2003 (or even Windows ME and 98SE). Your Mac drives will now appear and operate completely transparently in Windows Explorer:[/quote]

http://apcmag.com/node/4680

 

Norton 360 Public Beta

All-In-One Consumer Security Service Combines New Online Transaction Security with PC Security, Backup, and Tune-Up


CUPERTINO, Calif. – Nov. 22, 2006 – Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today launched the public beta of its new all-in-one consumer security service. Norton 360 combines Symantec’s proven, industry-leading PC security and tuneup technologies with new automated backup and online transaction security capabilities. The service helps protect consumers from Internet threats, online scams and identity theft while safeguarding important documents, photos and music through automated online backup and restore functionality. Norton 360 is part of Symantec’s broader Security 2.0 vision for the next generation of online security.

http://www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20061122_01

http://www.symantec.com/norton360beta/

 

2007 time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems

INTRODUCTION

Starting in the spring of 2007, daylight saving time (DST) start and end dates for the United States will transition to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 2005. DST dates in the United States will start three weeks earlier (2:00 A.M. on the second Sunday in March) and will end one week later (2:00 A.M. on the first Sunday in November).

The update that this article describes changes the time zone data to account for the United States DST change. This time zone update will also include changes for other related DST changes, time zone behavior, and settings. Some of these changes will occur in 2007, and some have occurred since these versions of Windows were originally released. The update that this article describes also includes some changes that have previously been released as individual hotfixes. An example of this is the Sri Lanka change in time zone offset. This update will also include some changes that have been individually documented in Microsoft Knowledge Base articles.

These updated time zone definitions will also be included with Windows Vista.

For more information about Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928388

 

Password vulnerability in Firefox 2

The vulnerability is caused due to the Password Manager not properly checking the URL before automatically filling in saved user credentials into forms. This may be exploited to steal user credentials via malicious forms in the same domain.

According to security company Netcraft, which discovered the exploit being used on MySpace, a fraudulent login page was hosted on the company's own servers.

Solution:
Disable the "Remember passwords for sites" option in the preferences.

http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-6137844.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news

http://secunia.com/advisories/23046/

7 Practices for Safer Computing

1.  Protect your personal information. It's valuable.
2. Know who you're dealing with.
3. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.
4. Be sure to set up your operating system and Web browser software properly, and update them regularly.
5. Protect your passwords.
   
6. Back up important files.
7. Learn who to contact if something goes wrong online.

      http://onguardonline.gov/stopthinkclick.html

November 2006 Security Releases ISO Image

Brief Description

These ISO-9660 CD image files contain the security updates for Windows released on Windows Update on November 14th, 2006.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=20129b71-2bd8-432c-b2e7-d8821e450d73&displaylang=en

 

Windows User State Migration Tool (USMT) version 3.0

Brief Description

Microsoft® Windows® User State Migration Tool (USMT) version 3.0 migrates user files and settings during deployments of Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista™. USMT captures files and settings from the source computer and then migrates them to a new Windows installation.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Vista; Windows XP
  

- Source system: Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Vista.
- Destination system: Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Vista.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=799ab28c-691b-4b36-b7ad-6c604be4c595&displaylang=en

Microsoft Forefront Client Security Public Beta

Brief Description

Microsoft® Forefront™ Client Security provides unified malware protection for business desktops, laptops and server operating systems that is easy to manage and control. By delivering simplified administration through central management and providing critical visibility into threats and vulnerabilities, Microsoft Forefront Client Security helps protect your business with confidence and efficiency.

Quick Details
File Name: FCS_Public_Beta.zip
Version: PublicBeta
Date Published: 11/17/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 56.2 MB
Estimated Download Time: 2 hr 17 min 56K

Overview

Microsoft® Forefront™ Client Security provides unified malware protection for business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems that is easy to manage and control. Built on the same highly successful Microsoft protection technology already used by millions of people worldwide, Forefront Client Security helps guard against emerging threats, such as spyware and rootkits, as well as against traditional threats, such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. By delivering simplified administration through central management and providing critical visibility into threats and vulnerabilities, Forefront Client Security helps you protect your business with confidence and efficiency. Forefront Client Security integrates with your existing infrastructure software, such as Active Directory, and complements other Microsoft security technologies for protection and control.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86); Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86); Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86); Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86); Windows Vista Business; Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition; Windows XP Service Pack 2

The Microsoft® Forefront™ Client Security beta software is provided for evaluation purposes only. These system requirements are subject to change.* Trial versions of software prerequisites can be downloaded from their respective product web pages on http://www.microsoft.com.

To use Microsoft Forefront Client Security beta software on a single-server topology, you need:

• A computer with a minimum 750 MHz processor; dual 2.85 GHz or faster processor recommended
  

• Microsoft Windows Server® 2003 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition, or Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition
  

• Minimum 1 GB of RAM; 4 GB RAM or more recommended
  

• 6 GB of available hard-disk space or more required; 100 GB or more recommended
  

• DVD-ROM drive
  

• Super VGA or higher-resolution monitor
  

• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
  

Software prerequisites for Microsoft Forefront Client Security server are:

• Microsoft SQL Server™ 2005 Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 (including Database Services, Reporting Services, and Workstation Components)
  

• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
  

• Microsoft Management Console 3.0
  

• Group Policy Management Console with Service Pack 1
  

• Windows Server Update Services 2.0 with Service Pack 1
  

To install Microsoft Forefront Client Security agent component on Windows operating systems, you need:

• A computer with a minimum 500 MHz processor; 700 MHz or faster processor recommended
  

• Microsoft Windows® 2000 SP4, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (32-bit x86 or x64*), or Windows Vista™ Business (32-bit x86 or x64*), or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (32-bit x86 or x64*) or later
  

• Minimum 256 MB of RAM or more recommended
  

• 350 MB of available hard-disk space or more recommended
  

• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
  

Software prerequisites for Microsoft Forefront Client Security agent component are:

• For Windows 2000: Update Rollup 1 and GDI+ installed
  

• For Windows XP Service Pack 2: filter manager rollup package installed
  

• Windows Update Agent 2.0
  

• Windows Installer 3.1
  

*Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the features you choose to install. Forefront Client Security agent component x64 support availability is planned for beta in December 2006. For complete system requirements, including multi-server deployment requirements, please refer to additional information at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=73723.

Preinstall notice: The beta release of Microsoft Forefront Client Security is intended for testing and evaluation purposes only.

Uninstall notice: The beta release of Microsoft Forefront Client Security and any accompanying evaluation software are time-sensitive and are designed to cease functioning after a certain period as specified in the accompanying License Agreement. Notice of expiration will appear 30 days prior to expiration.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=65c7116f-d238-463c-b3c7-e2627f210aee&displaylang=en

 

Microsoft Security Advisory (928604)

Exploit Code Published Affecting the Workstation Service on Windows 2000

Published: November 16, 2006 | Updated: November 16, 2006

Microsoft is aware of public proof of concept code targeting the vulnerability addressed by security update MS06-070. At this time Microsoft has not seen any indications of active exploitation of the vulnerability Microsoft has activated its emergency response process and is continuing to investigate this public report.

Microsoft continues to recommend that customers apply the November updates as soon as possible with additional urgency and consideration given to the update detailed in MS06-070. Customers can ensure that the updates are being installed by enabling the Automatic Updates feature in Windows or by using their deployment infrastructure in their enterprise or small business.

Mitigating Factors:

• Customers who have installed the MS06-070 security update are not affected by this vulnerability.
  

• While installation of the update is the recommended action, customers who have applied the mitigations as identified in MS06-070 will have minimized their exposure and potential exploitability against an attack. 
  

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/928604.mspx

Microsoft Security Bulletins for November 2006

Microsoft released the following security bulletins today: 

Important:

• MS06-066 - Vulnerabilities in Client Service for NetWare Could Allow Remote Code Execution (923980)
  

Critical:

• MS06-067 - Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (922760)
  

• MS06-068 - Vulnerability in Microsoft Agent Could Allow Remote Code Execution (920213)
  

• MS06-069 - Vulnerabilities in Macromedia Flash Player from Adobe Could Allow Remote Code Execution (923789)
  

• MS06-070 - Vulnerability in Workstation Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (924270)
  

• MS06-071 - Vulnerability in Microsoft XML Core Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (928088)
  

Security Bulletin Summary at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-nov.mspx

Windows Vista RC1 Antivirus Providers

Free Trial Subscription from CA

Free Trial Subscription from F-Secure

Free Trial Subscription from GRISOFT

Free Trial Subscription from Trend Micro

Free Beta Trial of Windows Live OneCare from Microsoft

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/windowsvistaRC1AV.mspx

Windows® Defender v.1593

Windows® Defender 

Brief Description
Windows Defender is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Windows Defender no longer supports Windows 2000 as mainstream support ended in June 2005.

Overview
This is the most current release of Windows Defender. If Windows Defender informed you that an update is available, you are running an older version. We encourage you to upgrade to this version. You can check your version of Windows Defender by clicking the down arrow next to the help icon and choosing ‘About Windows Defender’.

Note: If you have version 1.1.1592.0, you must first manually uninstall Windows Defender before you can install this newer version. To configure or remove the existing version, use Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel.

This release includes enhanced features that reflect ongoing input from customers, as well as Microsoft’s growing understanding of the malicious software landscape.

To download the x64 version of Windows Defender, click here.

Specific features of Windows Defender include:

• A redesigned and simplified user interface – Incorporating feedback from our customers, the Windows Defender UI has been redesigned to make common tasks easier to accomplish with a warning system that adapts alert levels according to the severity of a threat so that it is less intrusive overall, but still ensures the user does not miss the most urgent alerts.
  

• Improved detection and removal – Based on a new engine, Windows Defender is able to detect and remove more threats posed by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Real Time Protection has also been enhanced to better monitor key points in the operating system for changes.
  

• Protection for all users – Windows Defender can be run by all users on a computer with or without administrative privileges. This ensures that all users on a computer are protected by Windows Defender.
  

• Support for 64-bit platforms, accessibility and localization - Windows Defender supports accessibility and 64-bit platforms. Microsoft will release localized versions including German and Japanese soon after the availability of the English versions. Please be sure to use WindowsDefenderX64.msi for 64-bit platforms.
  

• Delta definition updates - Windows Defender now downloads smaller delta definition updates when possible which reduces the time required to download and install definition updates. Customers can expect shorter download times when updating their definition updates.
  

• Free Limited Support - As a part of our commitment to the security of our customers, free support for installation, configuration, definition update, detection and removal errors will be available for a limited time after download and installation. Please refer to the Windows Defender support policy for more information.
  

• WGA enforcement - There are significant risks to running non-genuine Windows. Only genuine Windows customers can receive product downloads, Windows updates and special offers. Windows Defender will validate that your copy of Windows is genuine before installation. Furthermore, Windows Defender will only remove Severe threats for machines that are not genuine. Low, Medium and High threats will be detected, but not removed unless your copy of Windows is genuine. For more information, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine
  

Important Notes

Windows Defender no longer supports Windows 2000 as it went out of mainstream support in June 2005. Please refer to the support lifecycle website for more information.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en

Microsoft closes piracy loophole: mandatory activation for volume licence Vista

With the imminent arrival of Vista Business and Enterprise additions, Microsoft has dropped a nasty little surprise on system admins. Windows Vista sports a little feature called Volume Activation 2.0. Yes you read correctly – Volume ACTIVATION. Apparently, every volume licensed product to date has been using Volume Activation 1.0, which bypassed the activation process once the correct key was entered.

Volume licenced serial numbers have been the mainstay of pirated copies of Microsoft products – they may fail the online validation test, but they keep running once installed.

Every volume product except Windows Vista and Longhorn Server will keep Volume Activation 1.0. Microsoft has moved to Volume Activation 2.0 for two reasons:

• Close significant piracy loopholes (Volume License keys represent the majority of keys involved in Windows piracy)
  
• Improve the volume customer experience.

http://apcmag.com/node/4471

Q&A: Windows Vista Released to Manufacturing

PressPass: Windows Vista was released to manufacturing today -- what does that mean?

Hallauer: Release to manufacturing signifies the completion of our development work and the start of the next phase for Windows Vista. Windows Vista is the highest-quality version of Windows that we’ve ever produced. We’ve had more people test more builds than previous development cycles, and the result is that we received more feedback than ever before.
Sven Hallauer, Release Manager, Director of Program Management
Click for high-res version.


That being said, Windows Vista’s journey is not yet done. PC makers, device manufacturers and software developers can finalize work on their products and applications to ensure great customer experiences when Windows Vista becomes available -- to our volume license customers this month and consumers on January 30, 2007.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/nov06/11-08VistaRTM.mspx

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer v2.0.1 (for IT Professionals)

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer v2.0.1 (for IT Professionals)

Brief Description
The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer provides a streamlined method of identifying common security misconfigurations.

Quick Details
Version: 2.0.1
Date Published: 11/7/2006
Language: English
Download Size: 1.3 MB - 1.3 MB*

Overview
In response to direct customer need for a streamlined method of identifying common security misconfigurations, Microsoft has developed the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA). Version 2.0.1 of MBSA includes a graphical and command line interface that can perform local or remote scans of Windows systems. MBSA runs on Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, and Windows XP systems and will scan for common security misconfigurations in the following products: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Internet Information Server (IIS) 5.0, and 6.0, SQL Server 7.0 and 2000, Internet Explorer (IE) 5.01 and later, and Office 2000, 2002 and 2003. MBSA also scans for missing security updates, update rollups and service packs published to Microsoft Update.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000; Windows Server 2003; Windows XP

System requirements are outlined in the main help and readme.html file that is included in the tool. More information is also available at the MBSA Web site.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4b4aba06-b5f9-4dad-be9d-7b51ec2e5ac9&displaylang=en

Microsoft Security Advisory (927892) Posted

Microsoft Security Response Center Blog!

http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2006/11/04/microsoft-security-advisory-927892-posted.aspx