In the future you may be able to obtain patches through other distribution channels, e.g. your ISP or consumer electronics chain or original equipment manufacturer.

Perhaps MS should pay a fee to companies such as ISP's (would never happen) to distribute their fixes. Judging from my experience now working at an ISP, I can tell you it is a nightmare dealing with their flaws.

Regardless of the distribution method, geniune Microsoft patches are always cryptographically signed by Microsoft. Whether consumers can figure out how to check the signature is a different question.

Not to kick a horse when its down, but to think that users who have (and most continually) become infected - because they decided to read Hello! and Hi! messages from someone they don't even know, over and over, and constantly wonder why their attachments look funny - will understand or even care what a signature is, is boggling. Maybe MS should take some time and make a "RTFM for Dummies" interactive video so their users can learn a thing or two. Understanding what an MS cert if and why you need it. Why are MS Updates (all 6! per week) are important to install, etc.

Perhaps more significant is Mail Fraud is a well tested law, which has trained, sworn law enforcement active the United States Postal Inspection Service. Unlike ISP abuse departments, the USPIS has badges, carries guns and the legal authority to arrest people.

I wouldn't want to get into a shoot out over this, but if someone were going to do something on this scale, depending on the setup, the US government wouldn't be able to do much if it were set up properly. Regardless of how many guns whoever is carrying. Not to give out suggestions nor get myself in any trouble answering a question, but it could be done to such an extent the USPS, would be null. FBI, on the other hands, depends. =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ J. Oquendo GPG Key ID 0x51F9D78D Fingerprint 2A48 BA18 1851 4C99 CA22 0619 DB63 F2F7 51F9 D78D http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x51F9D78D sil @ politrix . org http://www.politrix.org sil @ infiltrated . net http://www.infiltrated.net "Men have been taught that it is a virtue to agree with others. But the creator is the man who disagrees. Men have been taught that it is a virtue to swim with the current. But the creator is the man who goes against the current. Men have been taught that it is a virtue to stand together. But the creator is the man who stands alone." -- Ayn Rand