General software updates

[Ray]

I've been using ESS V4 since about 4 days after it's release, Lance, it is installed on 2 desktops and 1 laptop all running XP Pro with no problem whatsoever, though admittedly some people do seem to be having problems with it, personally I think it is an improvement on V3 the firewall in particular seems better.

[Lance]

I'm only using the antivirus anyway.  I might do it later if I can be bothered!

[Gary]

Shockwave player 11.5.0595 released not sure of changelog probably security fixes

[Rik]

Thanks, Gary. The Forth Road bridge strikes again.

[DarkStar]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but M$ have now released an IE8 Uninstaller for those who wish they hadn't tried it out  and an IE8 Blocker Toolkit for those who don't want to receive IE8 by automatic M$ update. M$ updates don't download on my machine without my permission  but I didn't realise that this would be pushed through updates.

http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?s=b118a7ee40af85dcc9a113ab880c3647&act=calendar&cal_id=1&code=showevent&event_id=54013

[Lance]

This is a good as place as any! Thanks!

[Sebby]

Blocking IE8... That's the most sensible thing I've heard all year.

[Gary]

Java runtime 6 update 13 released

[Simon]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but M$ have now released an IE8 Uninstaller for those who wish they hadn't tried it out  and an IE8 Blocker Toolkit for those who don't want to receive IE8 by automatic M$ update. M$ updates don't download on my machine without my permission  but I didn't realise that this would be pushed through updates.

http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?s=b118a7ee40af85dcc9a113ab880c3647&act=calendar&cal_id=1&code=showevent&event_id=54013

Interesting, thanks Ian.    In fact,  

[Gary]

Blocking IE8... That's the most sensible thing I've heard all year.

I'd be careful there Sebby Safari is the most easily hackable browser there is with IE8 coming a close second so FF, IE8 and Safari all have more holes than Swiss cheese, safari being the worst really surprised me  http://weblog.infoworld.com/robertxcringely/archives/2009/03/hack_attack_all.html

[Rik]

Brief Description
March 2009
The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime provides updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3

[Gary]

Brief Description
March 2009
The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime provides updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3

Cheers Rik 

[Sebby]

I'd be careful there Sebby Safari is the most easily hackable browser there is with IE8 coming a close second so FF, IE8 and Safari all have more holes than Swiss cheese, safari being the worst really surprised me  http://weblog.infoworld.com/robertxcringely/archives/2009/03/hack_attack_all.html

I'm using Firefox.

[Baz]

not so much as to tell people of an update but to ask about one. Just got a pop up window saying an update is available for Adobe Flash player.So this is obviously checking for updates how do I turn it off. where is this program anyway so I can look at the options for it.

[Rik]

Why would you want to turn it off, Baz?

[Baz]

its just a personal thing. I dont like the idea of too many programs constantly checking for updates. How often would I need that one anyway. Dont even remember installing it....theres another reason why

[Rik]

If you try to turn off the updates you create a security risk, Baz. Without it, a large number of websites won't work.

[Baz]

A security risk   whys that Rik.isnt it just so flash files etc can play. I found it any way. you have to change settings etc from the adobe site

[Rik]

Because, like almost every program used in connection with the web, Baz, people find holes in it that allow them to attack your machine. Yes, it's only there to play Flash files, but that covers a lot of websites these days.

[rgt247]

A useful programme that i use to check for software update is found here.

http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/

I find filehippo.com very fast to download from.

[Rik]

Handy, thanks Rich.

[Sebby]

A security risk   whys that Rik.isnt it just so flash files etc can play. I found it any way. you have to change settings etc from the adobe site

As Rik says, just the fact that it's installed creates a security risk if you're running a vulnerable version. Furthermore, you can visit websites that have Flash objects that may take advantage of the flaw.

[Ray]

I run this free programme on my machine to check for insecure and unpatched software Secunia Personal Software Inspector

[Rik]

Me too, Ray, on your recommendation I suspect - it's a great utility (though very irritating when it comes to Flash updates).

[Ray]

Me too, Ray, on your recommendation I suspect - it's a great utility (though very irritating when it comes to Flash updates).

Very true, Rik, I've had problems with it flagging up problems with versions of Flash, finally tracked down to the fact that Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements install there own copies of the Flash control in their programme directories. There doesn't seem to be any way of updating them other than manually replacing the relevant files with the updated ones copied from the Windows directory.