, 2004-07-08
Microsoft should make SP2 available to all users and backport the changes to older operating systems, or they risk putting profits ahead of security yet again.
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Microsoft's responsibilities....
2004-07-12
Anonymous (4 replies)
Anonymous (4 replies)

Since everyone has used the car analogy I will continue to do so.
So your Ford Explorer has a problem that makes the car unsafe (i.e. radio issue). It IS Ford's responsibility to make the vehicle safe for the driver and everyone around them. That is a "PATCH/FIX".
However, the new 2004 Ford Explorer has OnStar navigation (I don't know, just an example) and my 1999 Ford Explorer does not, do I get the OnStar?
Absolutely not, that is a feature and if I would like it I would have to "UPGRADE".
So back to OS software and Microsoft. Microsoft in my opinion is obligated to patch older OS's (to a point - say 10 years) and even pirated software. Ford still has to fix the radio for that guy that stole the car cause if he injures/kills someone due to the radio problem, we know what will happen.
However, they are not obligated to provide feature upgrades to older products or even illegal products for that matter. Don't give the stolen car guy a free ABS brake upgrade.
So provide end users with patches and fixes but they can certainly prevent users from having the new fancy firewall that are running older OS's or pirated software.
Just my two cents.
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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/254/27499#27499