In article <3F4A10AF.7080903@brightok.net>, Jack Bates <jbates@brightok.net> writes
Which is why Microsoft should issue a software equivelant of a recall. Systems shouldn't be sold vulnerable without at least a patch CD.
Perhaps Windows could be delivered complete with a package whose function was to firewall off everything except the update site (or maybe employ some kind of VPN), and deny a more general Internet connection, until sufficient updates had been downloaded? The next step would be to find a secure way for Microsoft to turn that firewall back on again remotely, if a sufficiently serious update was required. (This could case havoc is misused, so some care would needed!) Meanwhile, in the UK it's commonplace to buy monthly computer titles with a CD (of useful shareware and demos) mounted on the cover. If these don't already include the most recent Microsoft patches, perhaps they should. -- Roland Perry