OK, it is blue Tuesday again and Microsoft has published a slew of new updates.  Unfortunately many users are finding that Windows Update KB913446 fails, and a visit to their Update History reveals error code 0×80242006. 

To see this for yourself, go to Windows Update, then click on “Review your Update History”, then click on the small red x  .

Microsoft probably will have a fix on the Windows Update site in short order, but in the meantime, if you want to install the update manually, it can be found at the Microsoft Download Center.

This update will create a new restore point on your computer and install the update.  This workaround seems to be working well for most users.

More information about this update can be found in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-007 – Vulnerability in TCP/IP Could Allow Denial of Service (913446).

Here is a link to it: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-007

by Internet-Insecurity.com

“Practice Safe Computing”

Found a good article at About.com on how to use the Windows XP Pro Encrypted File System.  (XP Home does not include the EFS). 

It never ceases to amaze me that critical data* is kept on computers without the used of encryption, especially when the data is on a laptop, or other vulnerable computer system.  There really is no excuse other than ignorance and carelessness.

 * Hey, especially if that computer contains any personal data about other people, not just your own, it is irresponsible to keep any such data in an unencrypted form.

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