MS Warns Spyware Can Freeze SP2 update

Some spyware could cause SP2 updates to freeze, according to Microsoft.
This might explain some of the problems we are seeing.
Your system should be cleaned up before installing SP2.
Cleaned up really means NO malware at all!

"Microsoft's Barry Goff said some spyware could cause computers to freeze
up upon installation of the SP2 update. Microsoft recommends that users
clean their PCs of spyware and back up their data before turning on the
auto update feature that automatically downloads Service Pack 2...."

http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/news/36403.html

This is not news.
It has never been a good idea to install a patch or especially a
Service Pack with something wrong with the computer.
Spyware is a problem.

This has been getting more press the past week and it really
shouldn't.
Only because users are discovering again for the first time that
spyware and other malware cause other problems.
Also possibly because of the misconception that SP-2 will fix
problems.
Generally Service Packs and other patches will not resolve issues
since they are normally designed to prevent them.

If the owner is properly maintaining the computer, spyware and other
malware should not be an issue:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/security.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"a nonny mouse" <> wrote in message
news crosoft.com...
> Some spyware could cause SP2 updates to freeze, according to
> Microsoft.
> This might explain some of the problems we are seeing.
> Your system should be cleaned up before installing SP2.
> Cleaned up really means NO malware at all!
>
> "Microsoft's Barry Goff said some spyware could cause computers to
> freeze
> up upon installation of the SP2 update. Microsoft recommends that
> users
> clean their PCs of spyware and back up their data before turning on
> the
> auto update feature that automatically downloads Service Pack 2...."
>
> http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/news/36403.html

On Sat, 04 Sep 2004 16:15:43 -0600, Jupiter Jones [MVP] wrote:

> This is not news.
> It has never been a good idea to install a patch or especially a
> Service Pack with something wrong with the computer.
> Spyware is a problem.
>
> This has been getting more press the past week and it really
> shouldn't.
For many people, unfortunately, it *is* news and the fact that it is
getting ink proves that.
Many of the problems I read here and elsewhere about SP2 problems are
directly related to malware being in the box. Some people posting here see
it as a mere inconvenience or something to work around and don't take
malware seriously.
It's possible that an SP2 update on a system with malware will easily be
attacked because the malware is already able to penetrate the firewall
from the inside.
Yes, it shouldn't be news, but then, nobody should ever have a virus
infect their system, either.
More information is always good and being objective about it is the only
way to take it.
Unfortunately, far too many users will still ignore any warnings and move
ahead blindly and then complain about the OS or the SP, when the fault is
their own.

>-----Original Message-----
>Some spyware could cause SP2 updates to freeze,
according to Microsoft.
>This might explain some of the problems we are seeing.
>Your system should be cleaned up before installing SP2.
>Cleaned up really means NO malware at all!
>
>"Microsoft's Barry Goff said some spyware could cause
computers to freeze
>up upon installation of the SP2 update. Microsoft
recommends that users
>clean their PCs of spyware and back up their data before
turning on the
>auto update feature that automatically downloads Service
Pack 2...."
>
>http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/news/36403.html
>.
>I for one can agree to this removal of adware and
spyware remover programs. I downloaded and installed SP-
2. As soon as the installer reported installation
complete, SPYSWEEP flashed across the screen, then it
turned blue and crashed. 3 Days later I am now back up
and running.