Microsoft Refuses To Patch Rootkit-Compromised XP Machines

Barence writes "Microsoft has revealed that its latest round of patches won't install on XP machines if they're infected with a rootkit. In February, a security patch left some XP users complaining of endless reboots and Blue Screens of Death. An investigation followed and Microsoft discovered the problems occurred on machines infected with the Alureon rootkit, which interacted badly with patch KB977165 for the Windows kernel. Now Microsoft is blocking PCs with the rootkit from receiving its new patches. 'This security update includes package-detection logic that prevents the installation of the security update if certain abnormal conditions exist on 32-bit systems,' Microsoft cautions in the patch notes."

Re:First things first

[Skarecrow77]

no! I need the newest microsoft patch so that there are not any new security holes in my computer! I'll deal with that huge gaping sucking chasm of a security hole that's already there, created by the rootkit, at some later date.

Misuse of phrase

[girlintraining]

What ever happened to backwards compatibility? Why, I remember the day when any virus, worm, or piece of malware, would run no matter what!

You can't put it off forever!

[fred fleenblat]

This just proves that it's a great time for people who have been sticking with XP to take the plunge and upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional.

Re:Lesser of two evils?

[clone53421]

It most certainly does have an Operating System. In fact if it has disc brakes it even has a Disc Operating System...

Re:The Microsoft way!

[Lil'wombat]

So this is a vendor software issue? Those rootkit developers should have a better testing process. I'm not going to go to all of the trouble of rooting 100k servers just to have my botnet BSOD on the next update. I demand a refund

Re:The Microsoft way!

[nigelo]

"I'm a people-person. What the hell is wrong with you people?"

Re:First things first

[kseise]

Just to be sure that we get this update, I am installing the newest Antivirus 2010 on all of our network machines. This version should pickup the rootkits that Antivirus 2009 left behind. Since I work at the IRS, our systems are absolutely critical to protect this month.

Re:The Microsoft way!

[maxwell demon]

What if it hides in the documents?

Re:The Microsoft way!

[dhavleak]

To do nothing? They need a mandate to not touch a system they don't own?