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Microsoft Make Some Tuesdays Worth Remembering
By John F | April 12, 2008
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Patch Tuesday is the 2nd Tuesday of each month where Microsoft release software patches to plug up the security vulnerabilities in their products. Most patches are for 2000, XP and Vista operating systems, whilst the rest are for Microsoft Office or other Microsoft products.
Microsoft does try to keep the patches to the scheduled 2nd Tuesday of every month. This is to allow companies with large amounts of computers to prepare for the updates and the re-booting of the computers after the patches have been installed. It’s also a more cost effective way for Microsoft to distribute their updates.
Sometimes Microsoft release critical updates when they need to. Some would say updating twice per month would be more prudent, as waiting nearly a month for an update that Microsoft deem necessary could cause a windows user problems.
Patch Tuesday has spawned what a few people call ‘Exploit Wednesday’. The day after Patch Tuesday, many exploitation opportunities can be found by scrutinising the patch and its effects. Some shady developers can figure out how to exploit the vulnerability, and by being able to do that, they then have a month until the next Patch Tuesday. So, in effect there begins a vicious circle of patch release, exploit, patch release etc.
Patch Tuesdays will end for Windows XP Home Edition on 15th April 2009 when support for this version of the Operating System expires. So if you want to continue using XP Home edition you will not be supported by Microsoft and will either have to upgrade to XP Professional, Vista or go with a Linux operating system.
Ensure that your Windows Update settings are set to capture the releases from Microsoft and then at least your computer will be protected as much as Microsoft can offer.
Topics: Computer Health Usefulness |