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February 2006 - Posts

Australian daylight saving time update for Windows operating systems in 2006
Mate, you need to change your clocks...

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Melbourne, Australia during March 2006. Several Australian states have changed the date on which daylight saving time changes to standard time. These states are New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania. In these states, daylight saving time changes to standard time on the first Sunday of April 2006.

More information: Microsoft Knowledge Base

Posted: Feb 21 2006, 09:42 AM by jubo | with no comments
Filed under:
Microsoft's Valentine's Patch Day
This month's security updates affect Microsoft Windows, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office, and Internet Explorer, a component of Windows.

To update your home computer, go to the Microsoft Update Web site to scan your computer for the needed updates. If you have PowerPoint 2000, go to Office Update to get the security update for Office.

  • MS06-004 Critical Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (910620)
  • MS06-005 Critical Vulnerability in Windows Media Player Could Allow Remote Code Execution (911565)
  • MS06-006 Important Vulnerability in Windows Media Player Plug-in with Non-Microsoft Internet Browsers Could Allow Remote Code Execution (911564)
  • MS06-007 Important Vulnerability in TCP/IP Could Allow Denial of Service (913446)
  • MS06-008 Important Vulnerability in Web Client Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (911927)
  • MS06-009 Important Vulnerability in the Korean Input Method Editor Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (901190)
  • MS06-010 Important Vulnerability in PowerPoint 2000 Could Allow Information Disclosure (889167)

More information: Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for February 2006
See also: Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for February, 2006


At this moment there's an issue with one of the updates, MS06-007. If you download it through Windows Update you get errors when installing it. For more information see: Information about Today's Bulletin Release and MS06-007 on Microsoft Update/Windows Update at the Microsoft Security Response Center Blog!

Posted: Feb 15 2006, 07:47 AM by jubo | with no comments
Filed under:
Microsoft released Windows Defender (Beta 2)
Windows Defender (Beta 2) is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.

This release includes enhanced features that reflect ongoing input from customers.

Specific features of Windows Defender Beta 2 include:
  • A redesigned and simplified user interface
  • Improved detection and removal
  • Protection for all users
  • Support for 64-bit platforms, accessibility and localization

Formal support is not offered for this beta, but Microsoft have provided newsgroups to help get your questions answered.

Related sites:
Posted: Feb 14 2006, 12:11 PM by jubo | with no comments
Filed under:
Internet Explorer ActiveX update
Microsoft is releasing a software update to Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 for Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 and for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. This update changes the way in which Internet Explorer handles some Web pages that use ActiveX controls. Examples of programs that use ActiveX controls include the following:


Another thing is that it will also effect the Google Toolbar. You may experience an access violation in the Google Toolbar when you close a window that contains an inactive ActiveX control. Google is expected to fix this issue through its "servicing mechanism."

More information in Microsoft's Knowledge Base

Posted: Feb 13 2006, 07:26 AM by jubo | with no comments
Filed under:
End of support for Windows 98 and Windows Me
Attention all Windows 98 and Windows ME users. Effective June 30, 2006 will bring a close to Extended Support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft will retire public and technical support, including security updates, by this date.

Existing support documents and content, however, will continue to be available through the Microsoft Support Product Solution Center Web site. This Web site will continue to host a wealth of previous How-to, Troubleshooting, and Configuration content for anyone who may need self-service.

Microsoft is retiring support for these products because they are outdated and can expose customers to security risks. Microsoft recommends that customers who are still running Windows 98 or Windows Me upgrade to a newer, more secure Microsoft operating system, such as Windows XP, as soon as possible.

Related sites:

Source: Microsoft Windows.

Posted: Feb 12 2006, 12:18 PM by jubo | with no comments
Filed under:
Windows OneCare Live
Microsoft Announces Pricing and Licensing Details for Windows OneCare Live

Yesterday Microsoft announced final licensing and pricing information for its soon-to-be-released Windows OneCareTM Live, the all-in-one, automatic and self-updating PC care service aimed at helping consumers more easily protect and maintain their PCs to keep them running well.

Microsoft® Windows OneCare Live will be available in June from retailers and via the Web for an annual subscription of $49.95 MSRP for up to three personal computers.

Microsoft also announced a promotional deal offering the first year of Windows OneCare Live service for $19.95 to beta customers who become subscribers between April 1 and April 30, 2006.

Windows OneCare Live is a subscription service with:
  • Anti-virus protection
  • Managed, two-way firewall
  • Anti-spyware protection
  • Microsoft Update integration
  • Automatic Updates
  • Windows OneCare Live advisories
  • Automated "janitorial" tasks
  • Virus scanning
  • Boot-time tracing
  • Backup and Restore of Important Files

More information, see: Microsoft Windows OneCare Live Fact Sheet

To sign up for the beta go to Windows OneCare Live.

See also: Windows OneCare Team Blog

At this moment it also works when you're "overseas", outside of the US and have an (US-)English version of Windows installed on your computer...;)