- Connect with us:
- |
- |
- RSS
- |
- Newsletter
-
Microsoft Releases Major Security Update|
- By CXOtoday Staff, Mar 31, 2005 1333 hrs IST
- Tags : security update
-
Microsoft Corp has today released to manufacturing Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), offering customers security enhancements as well as performance improvements. Microsoft customers can obtain this service pack free via download.
The Redmond giant claims that Service Pack 1 addresses additional core security issues thus providing customers with a reduced attack surface, stronger default settings, and reduced privileges.
According to an internal testing by Microsoft, customers can expect increased performance and reliability up to 50%, depending upon workload, after deploying Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.
Among its key enhancements is the security configuration wizard tool that reduces the attack surface by gathering information about specific server roles, and then automatically blocks all services and ports not needed to perform those roles.
The new Windows Firewall allows network wide control through Group Policy. Also released with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Firewall serves as a host (software) firewall around each client and server computer on a customer's network.
Since servers are vulnerable during the time between their installation and application of the latest security updates, the new Service Pack 1 blocks all inbound connections to the server after installation until Windows Update has delivered the latest security updates to the new computer.
As part of the worldwide rollout of Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Windows Small Business Server 2003 SP1, Microsoft will localize the software in 18 languages over the next two months.
"With Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, our development team took the time to treat the root cause of many security issues, not just the symptoms," said Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Windows Server Division at Microsoft.
Additionally, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition were released to manufacturing and would be available through various partners in late April.
-
Discussion Board
- Write a message
