Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Database
    • Database

    Microsoft Hustles to Disinfect SQL Server

    By
    Lisa Vaas
    -
    February 17, 2003
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Microsoft Corp. continues to scramble to plug vulnerabilities in its SQL Server database that were exploited by the SQL Slammer worm last month.

      The company early this month released new versions of tools designed to help SQL Server users figure out whether they are at risk. In addition, the company planned to put out a third version of the tools as early as late last week.

      The three tools, which are available on Microsofts Web site, are: SQL Scan, SQL Check and SQL Critical Update. The first tool scans individual computers, Windows domains or IP address ranges for instances of SQL Server 2000 and MSDE (Microsoft Desktop Engine) 2000, identifying instances that may be vulnerable to Slammer. SQL Scan runs on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

      SQL Check also scans computers for instances of SQL Server 2000 and MSDE 2000, stopping and disabling SQL Server and SQL Agent services, but on Windows 98 and Windows ME, it does not stop vulnerable instances. SQL Critical Update scans computers for vulnerable instances and automatically updates affected files. It doesnt run on Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows ME.

      The most important upgrade to all three tools is that interfaces will give users a clearer idea of whats going on, according to SQL Server Product Manager Sheryl Tullis. With the earlier version, it was “a little difficult” to tell when the patch was done installing, Tullis said.

      In addition, Microsoft clarified error message language so that users will have less confusing instructions to follow, said Tullis, in Redmond, Wash. Microsoft also plans to address Windows 98 and ME in Versions 2 and 3 of the tools.

      Version 3 was to be geared to small-business users and those who have MSDE on their systems but arent database administrators and therefore dont know how to install patches, Tullis said.

      This attempt to address the laborious installation process of SQL Server patches is the latest of a few similar moves for Microsoft, which addressed the problem by releasing an automatic installation version of the patch the weekend in January when Slammer first struck. Version 3 of the tools will have an interface customized for non-DBAs lack of experience with patch installation, Tullis said.

      Users of the tools first versions said they welcome Microsofts tweaking of the interfaces.

      “It will help us, definitely,” said Don Medal, network engineer at the University of Minnesota at Crookstons Computing Services department. “Any improvements there would be helpful. I wouldnt say [the tools first versions] were done with the interface getting a high priority.”

      Microsoft last July issued a patch for the vulnerabilities Slammer exploited. It rolled up that patch in SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3, which was released days before Slammer struck.

      Because of the original patchs installation difficulties, many time-strapped DBAs didnt bother with it. The primary reason that Medals staff didnt load the patch was the laborious installation, he said. “My sense is that its only with Service Pack 3 that it became easy to install,” Medal said.

      Microsoft has long-term plans to address Slammer. They include rereleasing SQL Server 2000 packaged with Service Pack 3 already installed.

      “We dont want any confusion about where we want customers to be—current users or future users,” Tullis said. “Anybody who buys SQL Server 2000 will have SP3 right out of the box.”

      It will take “several months” before the duo are packaged, Tullis said.

      Lisa Vaas
      Lisa Vaas is News Editor/Operations for eWEEK.com and also serves as editor of the Database topic center. Since 1995, she has also been a Webcast news show anchorperson and a reporter covering the IT industry. She has focused on customer relationship management technology, IT salaries and careers, effects of the H1-B visa on the technology workforce, wireless technology, security, and, most recently, databases and the technologies that touch upon them. Her articles have appeared in eWEEK's print edition, on eWEEK.com, and in the startup IT magazine PC Connection. Prior to becoming a journalist, Vaas experienced an array of eye-opening careers, including driving a cab in Boston, photographing cranky babies in shopping malls, selling cameras, typography and computer training. She stopped a hair short of finishing an M.A. in English at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She earned a B.S. in Communications from Emerson College. She runs two open-mic reading series in Boston and currently keeps bees in her home in Mashpee, Mass.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×