Microsoft moves beyond patches

***craig5320*** · Oct 2, 2003, 10:31 AM

Conceding that its strategy of patching Windows holes as they emerge has not worked, Microsoft plans next week to outline a new security effort focused on what the company calls "securing the perimeter," a company executive told CNET News.com.

Although Microsoft will continue to devise ways to improve the means by which Windows users apply upgrades, or patches, to their software, the company had realized that too many customers don't upgrade quickly enough to thwart hackers.

"From our side, (it) has been a little naive to think that all of those customers are going to do patches," said Orlando Ayala, Microsoft's former sales chief, who now heads its sales push to small and midsize businesses. "It's just hard."

Until now, Microsoft's efforts have largely centered on improving the way it writes its code and then fixing holes as they emerge. "The strategy on security has been very (much) based on patch management," Ayala said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

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Source: CNET

***Veridian3*** · Oct 2, 2003, 10:46 AM

They should keep patches as small as possibe and make sure auto update is the default option...no flashy prompts asking what you want re auto updates.

Oh, and they should pay mainstream magazines to have the latest fixes on coverdiscs...not just servicepacks.

Stu

Judas · Oct 2, 2003, 11:35 AM

....yes..... they should actually ship out cd's with patches directly on them...for a fair price.. if not free... (lived on 14.4kb....understand that 2 weeks of downloading is not "just")

Oct 2, 2003, 10:31 AM	#1
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,578 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	Microsoft moves beyond patches Conceding that its strategy of patching Windows holes as they emerge has not worked, Microsoft plans next week to outline a new security effort focused on what the company calls "securing the perimeter," a company executive told CNET News.com. Although Microsoft will continue to devise ways to improve the means by which Windows users apply upgrades, or patches, to their software, the company had realized that too many customers don't upgrade quickly enough to thwart hackers. "From our side, (it) has been a little naive to think that all of those customers are going to do patches," said Orlando Ayala, Microsoft's former sales chief, who now heads its sales push to small and midsize businesses. "It's just hard." Until now, Microsoft's efforts have largely centered on improving the way it writes its code and then fixing holes as they emerge. "The strategy on security has been very (much) based on patch management," Ayala said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. Read MORE Source: CNET

Oct 2, 2003, 10:46 AM	#2
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 182	They should keep patches as small as possibe and make sure auto update is the default option...no flashy prompts asking what you want re auto updates. Oh, and they should pay mainstream magazines to have the latest fixes on coverdiscs...not just servicepacks. Stu