On Wed, 4 Jan 2006 14:44:36 +1030, "John Waller"
<johnw@REMOVETHISpinnacleweb.com.au> wrote:

>> 1) One could also ask what guarantees come with an official Microsoft
>> patch. I have never seen a guarantee associated with any Microsoft
>> patch.
>
>And should my system develop problems from this unauthorised patch, where
>would that leave me?

I did not argue as to the effectiveness, or not, of the patch, I only
made the assertion that it was not malware. By the way, what does
the guarantee from Microsoft say about it if one of their patches
causes problems with your system?

>I subscribe to following the manufacturers instructions. Microsoft would
>never endorse this procedure.

Good for them, it makes sense not to endorse third-parties messing
around with their OS.

>I'm not inclined to download and let loose a non-Microsoft .exe file,
>promising to patch my Windows XP, onto my system.

Then do not do it, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

>That contravenes every anti-spyware, anti-spam, anti-malware, good-practice
>guideline I can think of.

If you want to prove it is spyware/malware then by all means go for
it, but perhaps others want to make a more informed and balanced
decision rather than just blindly rejecting it out of hand based on
some speculation about spyware. If it is malware then be the hero
and show us. If it is not why bring it up in the first place on this
particular item? By all means argue your point about OS impact and
potential problems, that is far more reasonable then falsely stating
something (spyware) as fact which has not been shown to be the case
here.

--
Ciao,
Falcon