Starting from August 14, Microsoft has blocked the installation of updates for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, which were signed using the SHA-2 certificate. This action was prompted by the response from Symantec and Norton antivirus programs to these patches. It turned out that the security software identified the patches as hazardous files, deleting updates during installation and preventing attempts to run them when downloaded manually.
The company mentioned this, stating that update files may be removed or the update may not be completed entirely. Currently, the antivirus programs are allowing the following updates:
- (the preliminary version of the August monthly cumulative package).
- (the August security update).
- (the August monthly summary report).
Symantec has noted that there is no increased risk of false positives for the Symantec Endpoint Protection product. Simply put, their software should no longer react to updates for Windows 7 / Windows 2008 R2. For its part, Microsoft disabled the update block on August 27.
It should be noted that for updating Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 in the future, support for the SHA-2 certificate will be required. Otherwise, patches will not install. Additionally, let’s recall that according to Kaspersky Lab, the transition of corporate users from Windows 7 to newer systems will not be easy.
This is influenced by a number of factors: from economic and technical to social. In other words, switching to Windows 10 will be expensive, may cause issues with specific software, and will require users to adapt to a new system.
Source: 3dnews.ru
