Patch your Windows today
Microsoft is releasing a bunch of patches for Windows XP today – you should (shudder) start up Internet Explorer and click on Tools and Windows Update. (At other times, use a real browser like Firefox or Opera) While you’re at it, make sure your system is set to download system updates automatically, using the link that will appear on the Microsoft Windows Update page.
You may have to do this several times if the ‘Windows Genuine Advantage’ patch loads first. This is Microsoft’s way of making sure there will be literally millions of unpatched Windows computers out there, cranking out viruses and spam.
Yes, it is annoying but that is the price for using a Windows computer. You Macintosh and Linux users don’t get off scot free, though. There’s at least five percent as many viruses and known attacks you have to contend with, so get out there and patch your machines too, damn it!