Copies of Windows XP SP3 are being downloaded online from Torrent sites and online file repositories. This has created a user beware situation. Some of the versions of the Torrent file are outdated, and speaking in a business sense, the download is not worth the potential risk for mere testing.
SP3 for XP leaked to web, is it worth the risk to get it a few days early? (IMG:J.Anderson)
TechNet and MSDN subscribers might get a copy of Windows XP SP3 sooner rather than later, but is it worth the risk? On Monday, the final dates for SP3’s release were sent to the public. When MSDN and TechNet subscribers learned they would not see a copy until the general release, they went off the charts displaying their ire.
“This is utter stupidity. Hold back SP3 from those of us who have to support deployments. Have the MSDN/TechNet folks lost their minds or are they drinking the same "Vista is great" Kool-Aid as other MS employees. Release SP3 to MSDN/TechNet PRIOR to the public release or be ready for not XP to Vista migrations in 2009 but us to push for more Mac OS X deployments. I've had it with paying for access to YOUR products to support YOUR customers only to be slapped in the face like this. How did the ones who help support MS products now become the enemy,” one post read.
Now, copies of the download are circulating across the web on Torrent sites all over the place. The problem, and most security professionals agree, is that with every legit SP3 download there are scores of Malware loaded ones. Even TechNet forum members who mentioned waiting for a leak, were scolded for wishing that type of problem in the work place.
SoftPedia is offering the file for download, however the version listed on the site is build 3311, which is an older bug prone version.
Most of the complaints over not getting a copy of SP3 before general release were due to testing constraints, subscribers were upset over the removal of the ability to test before deployment. While this raises serious issues with the subscription plan many IT shops have with Microsoft, you can still deploy and test the release. Just the time table was pushed up for deployment.
Avoid the download on the Torrent sites. It isn’t worth the hassle.
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