If the machine's fully patched at Windows Update, I very much doubt anything
in KB831167 applies. Check in at Windows Update and install all critical
and recommended patches. Otherwise...

> ...prevents you from going to any site that requires log in

Are these Secure Sites (https://xxxxx)? What happens when you try to go to
or log-in at such a page? Does temporarily disabling your anti-virus
application and/or firewall make any difference?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org

so confused wrote:
> Apparently Microsoft released an update that screws with websites
> requiring log in (see Knowledge Base article KB831167), and I was dumb
> enough to be diligent with my updates and installed it. I went to the
> download page for the fix (file name Q831167.exe) but when I try to open
> it, I get an error message saying "This update requires Internet Explorer
> 6.0 Service Pack 1 to be installed." Well...it IS installed. In fact, my
> update history shows a long history of updates I have successfully
> installed for it. So no clue why I can't install this one.
>
> And of course because it prevents you from going to any site that requires
> log in, I couldn't get to any Microsoft help site for answers. I had to
> get on another computer (which I have not installed the service pack
> upgrade and will not now). Joy. FYI, the computer with the problem is old
> -- running Win98.
>
> A brief review of this issue for those who don't want to look up the
> Knowledge Base article:
> After installing the update, any website you attempt to log into will show
> "This page cannot be displayed" error page. Microsoft admits they sent
> out a damaging update and posted a fix. My problem is that for some
> reason when I try to open the file Microsoft posted, I get an error
> message saying I don't have the service pack, even though I do and have
> had no problem installing updates in the past.
>
> Can anyone help? This is really causing problems with last minute ordering
> of Christmas gifts. :-) Thanks!