The last 15 days saw a lot of drama around the windows xp service pack 3. Dates were announced for the release and then they were changed. The reason cited by microsoft was a compatibility issue with one of its retail chain management softwares. But to me it all looks like a play. This is my conspiracy theory.
Microsoft wants user feedback before they officially release the service pack. So they release versions on torrent networks and also puts them in their servers for anyone to download. Now bloggers pick it up and give extensive coverage to the news. Users download stuff and reports errors and bugs. What an innovative way to get user feed back before officially releasing the pack.
Microsofts official spokesperson said that they are not responsible for any damage caused due to installation of service packs obtained from third party sources.
Many of the microsoft customers ran into trouble after installing their latest updates. Microsoft even delayed their XP service pack 3 release after having found compatibility issues with their own products itself. Now they have come up with a tool to block service pack installations.
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (valid through March, 2008)
- Windows XP Service Pack 3 (valid for 12 months following general availability)
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (valid for 12 months following general availability)
The tool is applicable to the above service packs.
A bunch of security experts have detected some vulnerabilities in Quick time player on windows XP upgraded with service pack 2 and windows vista upgraded with service pack 1.
The vulnerability will enable an attacker to gain control of the system. If an admin is logged in then he will get all admin privileges. Once in, he can do what ever he wants, like installing new programs, setting up spy wares etc.
The attack is planned by creating a special quick time media file with embedded code that can be executed remotely. The code can be distributed with any sort of media file, especially porn.
The hacker team who discovered the hole have informed apple and they are yet to get a response.
The official download links for the windows XP service pack 3 follows.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 English
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Simplified Chinese
Windows XP Service Pack 3 German
Windows XP SP3 French
Windows XP SP3 Russian
Windows XP SP3 Japanese
If you are waiting to upgrade, then download them now itself. As they release this officially, the downloads are going to be very slow.
The downloads are currently available on some torrent sites also. I havent seen them yet, but there are unconfirmed reports of hacked XP service pack 3 on torrent networks.
