Windows XP WiFi: The Missing Patch

Here’s a little tip I picked up from the Security Now podcast.

Did you know that even if you diligently run Windows Update and get all the critical and optional patches, there’s one patch you still won’t have if you’re running XP SP2 and WiFi? This one, you have to know to go ask for by name.

It seems there was a patch released last October, known as “Update for Windows XP (KB917021).”

Install this update to enhance the Windows XP support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) options in Wireless Group Policy (WGP), and to help prevent the Windows wireless client from advertising the wireless networks in its preferred networks list.

Now, installing the patch itself doesn’t really stop your PC from advertising that preferred network list. There are a few more steps to take, and Steve Gibson has a walk-through – scroll down to the “Radio Silence” section, but it wouldn’t hurt to read the first section too.

This update does a lot. You can read more about it at the Knowledge Base article. Seems worth doing if you’re a WiFi user.

Why broadcast your preferred network names? Think of the fun someone “malicious” could have with that information.

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