– Samsung deaktiverer Windows Update – digi.no

One of the major changes that have occurred for security in Windows over the last decade, is that Windows Update can not just install security updates automatically, but that this is enabled by default on new PCs.

It even allows PCs to users who do not think of safety, kept up to date.

See also: Samsung rolls out security for smartphones

Samsung

With this background, Patrick Barker, an independent Windows specialist, made a rather startling discovery, namely that Samsung turn off the automatic installation of updates on many of the company’s Windows based PCs.

In practice, users are exposed to a big security risk.

It is Samsung SW Update software that is the culprit, according to Barker. This is a program that, among other things makes it easier to update drivers that are specific to that particular computer.

But the software also includes a component that Disable_Windowsupdate.exe. This ensures that the automatic installation of updates in Windows Update is turned off.

If the user attempts to activate the automatic system, the re-activated after a reboot of the system.

It is this choice Samsung overrides. Illustration: digi.no

Did you read this? Millions of Samsung mobiles have vulnerable keyboard

Driver problem

Samsung confirms faced both Barker and The Register. A company representative explains that the whole thing is done this way because Windows Update installs default drivers for all the hardware, apparently despite the fact that more specialized drivers already installed.

This leads according to Samsung that hardware USB 3.0 ports stop working, which is probably quite correct. But the company fix for this is very risky. Instead the company should have found a solution in cooperation with Microsoft, for example by offering its special hardware drivers via Windows Update.

Samsung have come up with further a further statement to The Register, which emphasized that the company takes product safety very seriously while the company believes it is doing a great thing by forcing users to choose which Windows updates to install.

– It is not true that we block a Windows 8.1 operating system update on our computers. As part of our commitment to customer satisfaction, we offer our customers the option to choose if and when they want to install Windows software on their products.

Barker writes in an update that he does not understand what this statement means, for he has not claimed that Samsung software specifically blocks a Windows 8.1 operating system update, only that it prevents Windows Update to automatically install updates.

In Norway: Samsung put down PC sales

Not advisable

For The Register says a representative for Microsoft that the company recommends that Windows Update is turned off or modified in such a way that it exposes the customer for increased safety. The representative promises that Microsoft will contact Samsung regarding this matter.

Until then’d Samsung SW Update uninstalled.

Commenting on the case ask Barker rhetorically if not PC makers have learned something of Superfish, a plug which until ours came with many Lenovo PCs and who also vulnerable clients at great risk.

Background: Lenovo delivered many PCs with serious malware