Microsoft Security: 26 June 2002 Cumulative Patch for Windows Media Player

I thought this was a rather startling article in The Register, concerning this Security Patch:

MS security patch EULA gives Billg admin privileges on your box

Wondering if anyone has installed the Patch, and if any problems incurred? I read on another Forum that a user had to reinstall WMPlayer 7 after installing the patch, in order to get the player to work.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona!

I d/l'd the patch and installed and so far have had no problems with WMP or anything else. Also Bill hasn't tried to talk to me yet either, as far as I know. I think the article in the Register is a bit of parnoia (sp??). As I am on a d/u modem, it would probably be fairly difficult for Bill G. to time access to my computer unless he ran a constant snooping program. (I suppose with all his $$$ he could!!!!)

Well, I will watch and see if things mysteriously change on my comp. (at least more than normal) ......

John

 

Hi John,

Thanks for the feedback on installing the WMPlayer patch.

The Register does tend to get a bit heavy handed with scare tactics. On the other hand Microsoft has given license to be mistrusted... and the EULA does not lend to user confidence, or control over one's PC. I dislike, and will not knowingly use any software that "phones home" whether you like it or not.

Ramona

 

The entertainment industry is pushing the hell out of DRM (Digital Rights Management). Count on the next generation of computers to come with it, and so much for ripping CDs and making MP3s for your player, etcetera.

Hollyweird and the "music" industry haven't yet begun to hammer on computer makers to neuter them to be little more than web-surfing boxes.

Ask the folks who make MIDI files about the viciousness of the "entertainment" thugs.

Life's Great Truths #555: it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.

 

Ramona--I installed the WMP security patch and, sure enough, WMP v7.1 would not run. So I uninstalled it. That resulted in my having WMP v6.4 left on my PC. (Believe you cannot "uninstall" WMP entirely.) I then reinstalled WMP v7.1, and found that it now runs.
I went to Windows Update and saw that the security patch is still listed as installed. Not sure whether that means it just got left behind with WMp v6.4 or whether it is an error. I suspect the former.
Bottom line, WMP v7.1 now runs and it seems I have the patch installed.
Lurk Here has a lengthy thread on all this
http://www.lurkhere.com/forum/DCForumID14/207.html

 

Microsoft Strikes Again!

Hi Jim,

Thank you for the feedback on the WMPlayer patch. So, it kills Version 7, does it. I have 6.4 installed, and have never upgraded, and probably won't. I use MusicMatch Jukebox, and it is superior to WMPlayer in all aspects.

I have disabled WMPlayer, and it can't connect to the Internet, so guess I will forego the pleasures of this patch.

I'll check out the thread you referenced. Thanks so much, Jim for taking the time to reply!

Ramona