Just a quick one for those of you on XP SP2 with the latest security updates.  There is a risk of seeing IE start crashing following this update.  You have two choices:

1. Don't install the security update - always a bad idea
2. Install the update and deploy a registry fix to solve the problem.

The IE team have documented it at Post Install Issues with MS07-069 (IE6 on XPSP2)

After downloading the Internet Explorer Cumulative Security Update for December 2007, some customers using IE6 on Windows XP Service Pack 2 have experienced an unexpected crash or hang upon launching Internet Explorer.

This might occur while navigating to a website hosting considerable media content (for example: http://msn.com) resulting in Internet Explorer displaying a dialog that states “Internet Explorer has experienced a problem and needs to close”. If you experience this issue, implement the applicable workaround provided in the following knowledge base article:

• Microsoft Knowledge Base article 946627

For your security, we strongly recommend that you deploy the Internet Explorer Cumulative Security Update for December 2007.

Terry McCoy
Program Manager
Internet Explorer Security

The KB article has the following information in it (Internet Explorer 6 crashes after you install security update 942615 on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2)

Internet Explorer 6 crashes after you install security update 942615 on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this problem, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
4. Type FEATURE_PROTECT_DECOMPRESSION_FILTER_FROM_ABORT_KB942367, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click FEATURE_PROTECT_DECOMPRESSION_FILTER_FROM_ABORT_KB942367, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
6. Type an asterisk (*), and then press ENTER.
   Note The asterisk (*) represents any process name that uses the Urlmon.dll file. If you want to make this change for an individual application that uses the Urlmon.dll file, use the name of that application instead of the asterisk. For example, use Appname.exe.
7. Right-click the asterisk, and then click Modify.
8. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
9. Exit Registry Editor.

ttfn

David