Side-effects of forthcoming XP SP2 (SP1 !)

[JohnGray]

Those people who get today's "Windows & .NET Magazine Security UPDATE--November 19, 2003" will have noticed a reference to Windows XP Service Pack 2: A Developer's View, an MSDN article which goes through the implications of applying SP2 to XP systems. It's not straightforward reading, I would point out...!

Summary:
With Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft is introducing a set of security technologies that will improve Windows XP-based computers' ability to withstand malicious attacks from viruses and worms. The technologies include:

* Network protection
* Memory protection
* Safer email
* Safer browsing
This paper discusses the first two elements on this list.

[jscher2000]

You beat me to it. Sadly, memory protection only applies to AMD Opteron and Intel Itanium systems. Those of us with Pentiums will still have vulnerable stacks... On the other hand, having ICF enabled by default should significantly increase traffic to this board. <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

[SMBP]

I think what the meaning of is is becomes important because from most of the reading and the MS blogs, you won't have to worry about SP2 for a good while and a while enough that a lot of the side effects should have been worked out. The predictors and announcers that you were on the cusp of an SP2 rollout have been wrong the last few weeks, and most of what's promised has it a good while off--they seem to be figuring out how to tie it into some security improvements where the only way to go is up.

Win XP SP2 Delayed Until Late 2004
Confusion Reigns Over Windows XP SP2
Win XP SP2 To Be A Springboard to Longhorn
The Register: Win XP SP2 Knocked Back to 2004

SMBP

[SMBP]

The side effect engine is startin' to chug:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta Invitation

SMBP