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Microsoft patches and the Sasser Worm.

Discussion in 'Computers & Technology Forum' started by David Mark, May 4, 2004.

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  1. David Mark

    David Mark New Member

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    I read in an article this morning that the Sasser worm infects Windows 2000, XP and 2003 machines within 10 minutes of being connected to the Internet. It's not one of those worms that is activated just by clicking on an attachment. It can "probe" an un-patched machine and just infect it at will. Even if no one is using the computer.

    Wow!

    I'm using Windows 2000. Microsoft released the patch (MS04-011) on April 13. I received a notification of an "available" critical update on the 14th through Microsoft's automatic update program and I allowed Microsoft to install it for me. It's a habit I've been trying to stay in. Turns out, it's a good habit to be in. The patch eliminated the vulnerability.

    I started being more careful about patches after I came home from work one day and found the MSBLASTER virus on my system. That virus just found my un-patched system hanging on the Internet and made itself at home (what nerve)!

    So, Stay on top of those patches.

    Cheers,

    Dave.
     
    #1 David Mark, May 4, 2004
  2. MsGuidedAngel

    MsGuidedAngel Member
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    Dear Dave,


    Thanks so much for posting this! I use Windows XP Home Edition. This year my room mate bought Norton Anti-Virus Professional 2004, so, I have it on my computer. They update my system just like Microsoft does.

    God Bless,

    KristiAnn
     
    #2 MsGuidedAngel, May 4, 2004
  3. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    A friend emailed me last night about it. I went ahead and downloaded the patch, and while I was at it I updated my anti-virus. When I ranit, I found three infected files (which are no longer with us).

    It's funny how God works through simple things, ain't it?

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
    #3 Trotter, May 4, 2004
  4. superdave

    superdave New Member

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    Patches are an important neccessary evil.

    Also, if your system is on the web all the time, as in on a cable modem or dsl, you should at the very least have a firewall on it, zone alarm is free and works well.

    Better would be a hardware router with nat or spi firewall built in.

    Patch as soon as you get notified, and go to the site regularly and scan for updates, and keep those virus defs up to date.

    Sasser was a rather benign piece of code, some of these worms have been nasty.
     
    #4 superdave, May 9, 2004
  5. David Mark

    David Mark New Member

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    Good advice, superdave.
     
    #5 David Mark, May 10, 2004
  6. SpiritualMadMan

    SpiritualMadMan New Member

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    I use NAV and Zone Alarm...

    So far so good since adding DSL. (About 4 months).

    When you are not actively doing something on the network or Internet go ahead and turn the 'Stop All Internet Activity' on...

    Doesn't hurt to be totally invisible...

    I tried the automatic lock but it interferred with itself... [​IMG]
     
    #6 SpiritualMadMan, May 11, 2004
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