Opera Security Update - Vista Update Issues - News Picks

First off, if you use the Opera browser, you need to update it to version 9.26 to secure it against multiple vulnerabilities that Secunia rates as "Moderately Critical". You will find that report and links to download the latest version here at Secunia.

If you have a computer with Microsoft's new "Vista" operating system on it, there are problems with the latest Microsoft Update (SP1) for it. As reported in an InformationWeek article by Paul McDougall titled "Microsoft Pulls Buggy Windows Vista SP1 Files" he reports "Windows Vista users report that the files cause their computers to crash or enter an endless cycle of boots and reboots.".

Now I haven't found any [specific] links to help people experiencing the 'reboot' problem other than below where Microsoft's Vista Team member Nick White suggests using* 'System Restore'. If your PC hasn't received the SP1 update yet, Microsoft has removed the part of the update that's causing problems and has temporarily delayed the release while they investigate. On the Windows Vista Team Blog there's a post by Nick White that talks about the issue that includes this: "Customers who may be experiencing this issue can use system restore to correct it or contact 1-866-PC-Safety for help troubleshooting. Additional guidance will be available via Microsoft's free Update Support Center soon.".

*Note that if your PC is caught in a cycle of continuous rebooting you have to catch it at the beginning of a cycle and get it into a 'Recovery' mode. [In Windows XP] that's done by tapping the F10 key repeatedly at the beginning of the boot process. I'm not sure if it's the same with Vista, but it's most likely either the F10 or F8 key. Something else I just thought of that you might try is to shut the PC off (hold the power button in until it shuts down) and insert the Windows Vista installation DVD, start the PC, and choose "Repair your computer". Then choose "System Restore" and pick a restore point from before the update. That's if you got an installation CD/DVD with your PC. Many manufacturers these days don't include a Windows installation CD with the computer. Instead they put a protected 'Restore Partition' on the hard drive that will restore the PC back to it's original state (like new, before you installed any of your own software on it). Personally I don't like that because sometimes you're asked to "Insert the Windows CD" when doing certain things like restoring drivers, and like in this case, you can't use it to start/repair a PC that won't boot up. If this is the case with your PC I'd advise you to read about and then create your own 'Rescue CD/DVD' to use. There could come a day when you'll be very glad you did!

Other issues affected by the SP1 update include software that either stops working or experiences a "loss of functionality" after the update. Microsoft has a web page detailing the specific software products affected, the version #s, and links to the specific "Web site for more information or for update software". Note: Almost all of the products affected have updated versions that fix the problem.

It's not that many programs that are affected, and as others like heise online have noted, Microsoft's XP SP2 update affected/broke many more programs than this, mainly because "...SP2 made more far-reaching changes to functions in XP than SP1 makes in Vista".

In other news:

Canadian Police Bust Huge Botnet Ring - I hope we see a lot more news like this in the future!

Sabotage Eyed As Possible Cause Of Undersea Cable Cuts - I'd think that since the cables have all been repaired, the companies that did the repairs would be the ones to talk to, as they actually saw the damage firsthand, and they would (from experience) know better than anyone the possible causes of the breaks. The thing that makes this so unusual is that they all happened in such a short period of time. Until more facts become available all people can (and will) do is speculate.

Banks: Losses From Computer Intrusions Up in 2007 - How secure do you feel doing financial transactions online? Have you brought up the subject with your banker? Let me know in the comments section!

If you have questions about anything I've written about, or anything PC-related, including suggestions for future topics, software you like, or helpful web sites, don't hesitate to contact me!