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firefox and windows update
Sasquatch!:
--- Quote from: paigeoliver on December 07, 2004, 12:26:16 am ---If you are using Firefox then you don't even really NEED most of the updates. Almost all windows updates seem to essentially be internet explorer ones.
--- End quote ---
Uh...no? Windows Update does update a whole lot more than just IE here. Granted, a LOT of is geared toward IE, but it's pretty reckless to just say that you can dismiss Windows Update if you're not using IE,
--- Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 07, 2004, 09:49:14 am ---that statement says an awfull lot alot about the point ive been trying to make!
if the update service is indeed almost exclusively catered for patching their internet explorer browser why is it called Windows update?
by thier own admission,they consider internet explorer an intrinsic component of the Window.. otherwise there would be an internet explorer automatic update page, and a seperate Windows operating system update..
they clearly consider the two to be one entity..
--- End quote ---
You are right: Windows and IE are intertwined. It's kind of like trying to separate conjoined twins that share a head...you can't do it without risking killing them both. :)
--- Quote from: DYNAGOD on December 08, 2004, 10:49:35 am ---im not sure how i did it.. i wish i knew...
but i do know if your running SP2, you can go to:
control panel
add remove programs
add remove windows components (on the left side)
uncheck Internet explorer.
then remove all your file associations that point to IE and delete any shortcuts or related files.
Done!
no worky
--- End quote ---
That doesn't actually remove IE though; it just removes pointers to it. You can't "remove" IE for exactly the reason you stated above: It's an integral part of how Windows works. They are one in the same.
If I may offer some advice: go back into add/remove programs and re-add IE and see if it (and Windows Update) works. Believe me, I agree with you that IE is a big honkin' security risk, but "crippling" IE is a bad idea.
Sasquatch!:
--- Quote from: Trimoor on December 08, 2004, 06:51:05 am ---Referencing a previous question on this thread, how exactly did you "unintentionally cripple" IE?
I would like to do the same to my computer :)
--- End quote ---
Uhhh, isn't it pretty clear from reading this thread that doing the same will also bork up your computer just like it did DYNAGOD's? Trust me: You do not want to do this.
For the record, here is the proper way to shield your computer from the huge majority of security exploits due to IE:
1. Use an alternative browser. I too use and would personally recommend Firefox, but if the standard Mozilla client or Opera suit you better, go for it. Also, go ahead and make this your default broswer. Don't worry...you can always tell IE to be the default again if you need to.
2. In IE go to Tools -> Internet Options. In the "General" tab clear all Cookies and delete all Offline Content.
3. Now go to the "Security" tab. Cllick the "Default Level" button and set your security settings to "High". You should also then click the "Custom Level" button and make sure that all (signed and unsigned) ActiveX Controls, VM, and Installation settings are set to "disable".
4. "Disabling" all ActiveX Controls now means that Windows Update won't work. No problem. While still on the "Security" tab in Internet Properties, click on the "Trusted Sites" icon up near the top and then click the "Sites" button. Add the following sites:
http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://*.windowsupdate.com
Also make sure to uncheck the "require server verification" checkbox.
What you've essentially done is removed the ability for websites to use ActiveX through IE, except for Windows Update. Viola, IE is buttoned down nice and tight, and Windows Update still works.
Trimoor:
Yeah, I've already done the above. I know that there is a way to completely remove IE, as I have seen several commercial products that claim such.
I should stop procrastinating and just switch to Linux.