Installed XP Security Update, can't load web pages

[ScooterDude]

I recently installed the most recent XP update related to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-027 (821557). After installing the update, the installation required a reboot. After rebooting, I cannot access web pages.

I uninstalled the update and my browsers (IE and Opera) worked fine. I reinstalled the update, rebooted and was able to browse using Opera. I then opened Internet Explorer and pages cannot load. The status bar reads "Web Site Found. Waiting for reply." and the status bar shows the page has is 50% loaded and then stalls. I tried to use Opera again and it cannot load pages either. Rebooting does not solve the issue.

3 questions:

1) Has anyone heard of this happening?

2) How risky is not applying the update (I am behind a firewall)?

3) What exactly does this update do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Aaron]

I have this hotfix installed as well and haven't come across any issues (yet!). For now you should uninstall this hotfix from Add/Remove if you are unable to browse.

And to answer your question, this hotfix has no relation to Internet Explorer, it fixes a security flaw in the Windows shell and folder shares (updates Shell32.dll)

[ScooterDude]

After another un/reinstall and NUMEROUS reboots I am back in business...