MS-DEFCON 2: Make sure Automatic Update is turned off

Topic

New Reply

With an unknown number of patches, of unknown type, heading down the pike on Tuesday, now would be an excellent time to make sure Automatic Update is
[See the full post at: MS-DEFCON 2: Make sure Automatic Update is turned off]

Reply | Quote

Replies

kb2990214 (checked box) just came into my list of “important” updates. That’s very odd considering this update is supposedly the Win10 technical preview installer. lolwut? MS (of course) doesn’t say anything about it at their kb support page: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214 (as of 12:55PM CDT, nearly an hour after the monthly updates posted) It’s a 404 page until likely at least 6 hours. That’s apparently the state of MS these days, lol.) According to the MS forums back in October, “it is only offered to users who have visited the Windows 10 Insider Preview website and selected the Get the Preview button.” Um, no I didn’t, lol. Go eat yourself.

Normally I like to install cutting-edge updates the hour after they post (I’m a huge daredevil like that) but these mandatory Win10 updates forced into Win7/Win8 installations smell like trouble.

Here’s the list of hidden updates for me so far (as they likely pertain to Win10):
kb2952664 (Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7) – Recommended
kb3021917 (Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements) – Recommended
kb3035583 (Update enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1) – Recommended
[time to hide kb2990214 — my first “Important” update? YOU DECIDE!]
^Somehow I have a funny feeling that this list is going to become extremely handy in the future.
I also have IE11 hidden, but only because it reaks havoc on my RSS reader which unfortunately is not being updated often.

Is MS in the business of obfusation these days? Are they really that desperate for money? Dumbing down the user until he understands nothing? Is it time to upgrade to FreeBSD? These new, trendy bait-n-switch tactics in this web 3.0 really need to stop. First it was social meia, now it’s obfuscation.

Reply | Quote

@Mr.Blobby –

Amen, bro. I have a special notice about 2990214 that just went up on InfoWorld.

Reply | Quote

Every time I checked your website it said MS-DEFCON 2. I missed that narrow window between April 10th and 13th when it was at MS-DEFCON 4. I must have been too busy with my taxes. Now it’s too late to automatically get only the patches that were posted before Black Tuesday. What’s the best way to do that???

Reply | Quote

@Richard –

Best bet is to wait until next month. There weren’t any screaming vulnerabilities in March.

In general, if you check around the end of the month, or early the following month, that’s how long it takes for the problems to iron out — especially the problems with “Fourth Tuesday” patches.

You can also use an RSS reader to read the feed from this site, or follow me on Twitter @woodyleonhard. Those are both updated constantly.

Reply | Quote

Woody,

Today, when I went to install some remaining March patches, I noted that KB3046049 (IE Freak) was no longer on my update list. Was it superseded by another patch — perhaps the IE 11 Cummulative patch?

James

Reply | Quote

@James –

Highly likely it was superseded.

Reply | Quote