Windows 2003 Server SP1

A few days ago I reported that Microsoft has released Windows 2003 Server SP1 Release Cannidate 1. What I didn't tell you about was some of the new security enhancements that come as part of this service pack:

• A new Windows Firewall, that protects the server and works around client and server connecting to it on your network.
• Post-Setup Security Updates (PSSU) and Security Config Wizard (SCW), which lock down the computer to help prevent it being hacked.
• IE includes updates to prevent unintentional downloads of malicious code.
• A new HotPatching feature allows you to apply updates to drivers, APIs or any non-kernel level component to the system without rebooting.
• Stronger defaults and privilege reduction on services such as RPC and DCOM;
• Support for Intel and AMD processors that have the NX (Non-eXecute) instruction to prevents malicious code attacks that try to use stack overflows.

For a technical overview, see the following web page.