Register for the Microsoft Security Newsletter for Home Users

Register for the Microsoft Security Newsletter for Home Users:
"This newsletter provides practical security tips, topical security guidance, useful resources and links, pointers to helpful community resources, and a forum for you to provide feedback and ask security-related questions.

Available in text and HTML formats, the newsletter is a convenient way for you to stay up-to-date on the latest issues, insights, and events surrounding Microsoft"

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/secnews/default.mspx

Windows XP won't boot after installing SP2 – a BIOS update may be necessary

Windows XP won't boot after installing SP2 – a BIOS update may be necessary:
"Installing Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 on a PC with a 'Prescott' CPU and certain chip sets can cause it to fail to reboot completely. The problem can be solved with a workaround or a BIOS update. "

Depending on the chipset, motherboard manufacturer, BIOS version, and CPU, installing Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 can result in an unbootable computer system. The problem is generally associated with Intel "Prescott" CPUs and its chipsets, but not every such combination will cause a problem. As of this writing, motherboards exhibiting the behavior include:

Albatron PX865 PE Pro
Shuttle SB61G2
Jetway i875P
Soyo P4I865P
Aopen AX4SG Max
Asus P4P800-E deluxe
Abit IS7-V
Foxconn 865A01-G-6EKRS

Technically speaking, the problem revolves around the machine's BIOS not installing a production level microcode update. To check whether the BIOS is at the correct level, download the Intel Processor Frequency ID utility. The microcode version is identified by this utility as CPU Revision, which should equal at least 8.…

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6268_11-5330486.html?tag=fdnew

Kerberos Flaws Allow Access to Protected Networks

Kerberos Flaws Allow Access to Protected Networks:
"The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has disclosed a number of serious security flaws in the Kerberos v5 authentication system, the worst of which could give unauthorized users access to protected corporate networks.… "

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1641644,00.asp?kc=ewnws090104dtx1k0000599

Distribute This Denial of Service Checklist

Distribute This Denial of Service Checklist:
"The important thing to realize about DDoS attacks is that they aren't going to go away, and there's no way of preventing them. They have been around for a very long time, and they are getting easier to carry out. That's because there are increasing numbers of poorly secured home PCs with always-on Internet connections just waiting to be discovered and taken over by hackers. These compromised PCs are incorporated into attack networks, where they remain dormant until a short burst of command and control traffic activates them and turns them into crazed attack zombies, firing off data at a target host until -- the hacker hopes -- it disappears under a deluge of unwanted packets.…"

http://www.esecurityplanet.com/prevention/print.php/3400861

Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD Now!

Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD: "This CD includes the same Service Pack 2 software that is available for download from Windows Update."

System Requirements

To install Windows XP Service Pack 2 via CD, you need:

• A PC with Windows XP Home Edition, Professional, Media Center Edition, or Tablet PC Edition installed

  
  

• 233-megahertz or higher processor

  
  

• 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher

  
  

• 1.6 GB of available hard disk space during installation

  
  

• CD-ROM drive

Share This CD with a Friend

After you have installed Service Pack 2, Microsoft encourages you to give this CD to a friend or family member using Windows XP.