Yesterday, Oct.9, I got a pop up, apparently from Symantec, offering
me updates for windows 98 under the url
"http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp" It took me an
hour to figure out what this is and trying to download it. It took me
another hour to figure out more, and it seems that figuring out what
this is, and wether and how this can help me (or harm me) will take
many hours with no end in sight. Does somebody know enough about this
to be able to inform me what this is and if it can help me enough to
be wortwhile bothering with? |
Request for Question Clarification by
aht-ga
on
11 Oct 2004 00:13 PDT
vaac-ga:
Allow me to preface this clarification request with a little bit of information:
The URL you cited in your question is the Microsoft-run Windows Update
service, which Microsoft uses to provide an online update capability
for users of its operating systems. Through this website, it is
possible to download and run a software agent that will anonymously
compare the current versions of the various operating system modules
in use on your computer, with the latest versions that have been
released by Microsoft as a result of security or reliability patches.
This includes, and most certainly is not limited to, patches that fix
the many security holes in items such as Internet Explorer, the file
system within Windows 98, and even enhancements like Windows Media
Player.
Now, that said, can you be certain that the pop-up you received is
from a trusted source (you mentioned Symantec... are you running a
Symantec utility such as Norton Anti-virus?)? Also, was the website
you accessed using a secure connection, ie. it was https:// instead of
http://?
Finally, are you using a dial-up connection or a broadband connection?
If the former, using Windows Update to download the updates can indeed
take forever, especially as some of the updates are several tens of
megabytes in size.
Please advise,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Question by
vaac-ga
on
11 Oct 2004 11:59 PDT
clarification:
I mentioned, mistakingly, "symantec" because I erroneously thought
Symantec makes win 98.
I have Norton Internet security.
I do not understand what you mention by "secure conection","http://"
or "http://". It probably was a secure connection.
I do not understand what "dial-up connection" and "broadband
connection"-s are. and how to tell which is which. But the download
seemed to take forever.
Is it worthwile bothering investing the time to pursue this further?
What am I risking if I do nothing?
Thanks very much in advance for any help.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
aht-ga
on
11 Oct 2004 13:07 PDT
Hi vaac-ga:
A secure connection can be differentiated from a regular connection by
looking at the address you navigate to. If there is a letter 's' after
the 'http' and before the ':', then that is a secure 'https'
connection. As well, in your browser program window, at the bottom,
there will usually be a graphical lock symbol when you are visiting a
secure site.
Generally, the Microsoft-provided Windows Updates are a good thing
that should be downloaded and installed. The installation requires
minimal user knowledge, but can require a substantial investment of
your time (as you have already noticed). Regardless of the type of
Internet connection you have, I suggest that you make this investment
of time and download the updates so that they can be installed.
The type of Internet connection can be distinguished by the steps you
take to be connected to the Internet on your PC. If the Internet
connection is already 'just there' when you power up your PC, chances
are you are on a broadband connection (through your cable TV company,
or through a DSL service from your phone company). If, on the other
hand, you need to use a program to dial-up a telephone number to be
connected to an Internet service provider, then you are most likely
using a 'dial-up' Internet service.
To return to your question, would you be satisfied with my assurance
that it is indeed worthwhile to download and install the Windows 98
updates? While you do have Norton Internet Security to help prevent a
certain level of outside intrusion, there are many other potential
holes in Windows 98 that can be exploited automatically by maliscious
viruses that are worth plugging up by installing the updates.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Question by
vaac-ga
on
08 Nov 2004 19:24 PST
Yes I will be satisfied with assurance it is wothhwhile if you can
also let me know how to do this update , how long it will take with
internet connections to a regular telephone line, and how to avoid
frustating snags that i will not manage to get out of.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
aht-ga
on
08 Nov 2004 23:37 PST
vaac-ga:
Without having direct access to your PC to determine what your average
dial-up Internet connection speed is, and to determine which updates
are recommended to you by the semi-automated Windows Update applet, it
will not be possible to accurately tell you this additional
information. All I can assure you of is this: the patches that the
Windows Update applet will recommend you to install, are intended to
fix known (and exploited) security holes in Windows 98. If you choose
not to seek out and install these updates, then there will continue to
be the possibility that your PC can be attacked by maliscious software
that downloads to your PC from a compromised website or e-mail.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Question by
vaac-ga
on
09 Nov 2004 16:04 PST
Unfortunately cannot obtain and give you info about particulars of my
computer. But you should be able to answer approcimately and w/o
certainty what the download times should be. Less than 1 hour? Less
thhen 12 houts? less than 36 hours?
I would also appreciate if you could give me details how to initiate
this download.
Thanks
Vaac Ga
|
