IT Professionals

Where, Oh, Where Is Service Pack 3?

Posted by on Oct 24, 2006 | 4 Comments

Will XP’s SP3 (service pack 3) ever be shipped? Perhaps the release of Vista makes this a moot point? Whatever your opinion, I would not spend a lot of time fretting over this issue.

Think about it, we know that these same updates will continued to be released over the Windows update tool for as long as XP remains supported. So in the end, who really cares whether or not XP is, in fact, offered a new service pack? I certainly don’t and to be honest, neither should you. The service pack that everyone ought to be concerned with is SP2. With its installation, each of us knows that updates are being downloaded and if set up right, installed behind the scenes.

So next time someone starts griping about the lack of a service pack 3, just remind them to check their Windows update feature. As long as this is set right, there really is no issue. Well, unless you are managing a large network, that is. In that case, I don’t really know what to tell ya.

  • heatstroke

    with a SP3 I do away with the 70 some updates I have to download…

  • Jason S

    With a service pack you can slipstream it into your Windows CD and have the entire OS up to date as soon as you install, without having to downloads tons of updates. So I disagree, at this point SP3 is very much needed.

  • http://leonard.libitz.clavid.com/ Leonard Libitz

    Since this blog post is talking about Mac Security. I would like to make a few suggestions.

    #1. Keeping track of all 3rd Party Software installed on Mac OS X is extremely important. I have noticed many users installing applications and simply forgetting them. Some users even believe that Apple’s Software Updates take care of 3rd Party Apps.

    If a user tends to install applications and forget to update. It can cause an issue with security on the system. It has been well documented in recent months that applications such as Firefox, Adobe Flash and Adobe Acrobat have been hit with some serious vulnerabilities. Keeping track of installed 3rd Party Applications is extremely important.

    If an application has been installed and forgotten. It would be best in my opinion to simply uninstall it. I would also suggest using a tool such as CNET’s TechTracker. It is a simple way to keep track of any applications that need to be updated on your system.

    #2. I would also suggest creating two user accounts. One as the Administrator and the other as the Standard User. Do not run as the Admin for day to day use. Use the Standard User Account.

    #3. Make sure applications installed are from a trusted source.

    #4. Only run essential services. If you do not need to use Apple File Sharing or Remote Desktop Connection. Then turn them off.

    #5. When visiting sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Be cautious of what links you click. Just because you are on a Mac. Doesn’t mean you cannot be tricked into clicking a malicious link.

    Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4qbLKy32rI via @sophoslabs

    A few good links to learn a bit more about Mac Security I recommend are the following:

    Sophos Mac Security Hub: http://www.sophos.com/security/mac-security-hub.html

    Secure Mac: http://www.securemac.com/

    The Mac Security Blog: http://blog.intego.com/

  • Christopher Orchard

    Nice one, Thanks as I have been looking for a good antivirus for my MacBook Pro, iMac & MacBook Air :)