OPatch- The Best Micropatching Solution

Arcos Security provides 0patch solutions to limit issues arising from traditional patching. Growing software vulnerabilities allow attackers to sneak into the systems and access sensitive information. Traditional patching is no longer applicable, as the vendors are not providing solutions for most vulnerabilities, and it can take up to 60 days to launch some. 

Micropatching is the best way to take care of all these issues and provide the best solutions possible. Micropatches are designed separately, considering the need to fix the individual vulnerability. It eliminates all issues found in patching solutions; if utilized correctly, hackers cannot exploit 0-day vulnerabilities. 

0Patch provides the best micropatching solution for all your business and organization needs. This blog will help you explore the 0Patch micropatching solution, how it works, why it is better than patching, and how you can install 0patch agents on windows client.

A short note about Micropatching

Micropatching is applying tiny patches of code to fix individual vulnerabilities. These flaws allow hackers and spies to enter into systems and take control of them.

These “3rd party” fixes, which we refer to as tiny patches of code (usually just a few instructions), make them inexpensive to test and review. Additionally, it is doubtful that the corrected software will experience any functional issues due to these codes. 

Additionally, system administrators can install or delete them without having to re-launch repaired software (much fewer restart machines), preventing any downtime for users often associated with official security updates. This is a significant benefit.

What is OPatch?

0patch is an advanced micropatch solution provider for all software vulnerabilities. It provides tiny patches of code to computers and other devices worldwide to repair these vulnerabilities in various goods, including closed-source ones. 

Some key features of 0patch include:

1. When using 0patch, there is no need for restarts or downtime while patching. 
2. No significant official update can cause production to become unavailable.
3. It delivers patches only within a few hours.
4. Most users and corporate administrators value lightweight and easy-to-use patches. 
5. Its micropatching solutions are cost-effective.
6. The micropatch solutions it provides can be applied locally or remotely rapidly, making production testing much less complicated. 

Why is OPatch the Best Micropatching Solution?

0patch is the best micropatching solution as it resolves all the issues relating to patching and provides a secure and much easier vulnerability-fixing solution. 

Current Patching Challenges 

Current patching solutions have the following problems that are fixed by 0Patch micropatching; 

1. No vendor provides patches for 0-day vulnerability. 
2. Most of the patches are not applicable (like it mostly becomes impossible to update most Java applications) 
3. Patching is an expensive process. 
4. Vendor patches replace hundreds of megabytes of code and thus make the process complex. 
5. Patch development testing is complex. 
6. For high-availability systems, patch testing is difficult. 
7. Functionalities are usually modified or broken with large patches. 
8. Custom-built software and the platforms that are no longer supported have no patches. This means non-compliance with a lot of security standards. 

Solutions 0Patch Micropatching Provides 

0Patch miropatching fixes the problems in the following way

1. 0Patch has an extensive global network of security researchers who provide solutions for even 0-day vulnerabilities. 
2. 0patch provides micropatches/fixes for older and no longer-supported software versions, including Java.
3. 0patch is lightweight and allows you to apply the patch easily without the need to reboot computers or restart applications. 
4. 0patche contains only a few machine code instructions; thus, it is easy to review each manually before deployment. 
5. 0patch addresses a single vulnerability and makes no changes to the functionalities of the applications. 
6. These are available for any software products, and if the vendor no longer exists and you’re still using the software, you will find a micropatching solution. 

Platforms OPatch Supports:

OPatch solution is only available for Windows systems at the time of publishing this post. AHere is the list of platforms OPatch Supports.

Platforms	Versions
Windows Workstations	Windows 10, available in 32 and 64 bits Windows 8.1, also available in 32 and 64 bitsWindows 8, available in 32 and 64 bitsWindows 7 Service Pack 1, available in 32 and 64 bits Windows Vista, available in 32 and 64 bits Windows XP Service Pack 3, available in 32 and 64 bitsWindows 10 (fully updated)
Windows Servers	Windows Servers Windows Server 2019Windows Server 2016Windows Server 2012 R2Windows Server 2012Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 32 and 64 BitWindows Server 2008 32 and 64 BitWindows Server 2003 R2 32 and 64 BitWindows Server 2019 Windows Server 2016Windows Server 2012 R2Windows Server 2012Windows Server 2003 R2 32 and 64 BitWindows Server 2003 R2 (fully updated) o 32-bit and 64-bit versions ofWindows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (fully updated)

How to Install OPatch Agents on Windows Clients?

There are various ways how you can install 0Patch Agents on Windows Clients. However, the way to efficient installation is that you know the prerequisites of installation and follow the exact steps. 

Prerequisites to Install 0Patch Agents on Windows clients

You will require the most recent version of the 0patch Agent installer package (the file 0PatchInstaller version>.msi) to install the 0patch Agent successfully.

You can get the most current version of the 0patch Agent installation package here.

How to Install 0Patch Agents on Windows Clients?

The interactive installation of 0patch Agent might look a little bit different depending on the version of Windows that you’re using.

All versions of Windows, except Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Here are the easy steps to install 0Patch Agent on all versions of Windows except Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

• As a member of the Local Administrator group: Double-click the installation package if you are currently signed in as a member of the Local Administrators group, and when prompted, confirm the prompt to elevate your privileges.
• Not a member of the Local Administrator group: Double-click the installation package, and supply the username and password for an administrator account when prompted. 

Let’s see how to install the Opatch agent on Windows 10/11.

Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003

Follow the below-given steps to install the 0patch agent on Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003.

1. Double-click on the installation package if you are currently signed in as a member of the Local Administrators group.
2. If you are not currently logged in as a member of the Local Administrators group, double-click the installer package after logging out and then log back in as a member of the Local Administrators group.
3. Confirm that you agree to the terms of the end-user licensing agreement when prompted.
4. Choose the place on the file system where you want 0patch Agent to be installed, or keep it in the default location it was suggested.
5. Make sure that the checkbox labeled “Launch 0patch Console” is selected so that the 0patch Console will be started immediately once the installation is finished
6. You may open the 0patch Console whenever you like by clicking the 0patch icon in the system tray or pressing the Start button on your computer.

Note: Be aware that to open 0patch Console, you may be required to confirm that you have administrative privileges or submit administrative credentials. 

Installing Silently

Silent installation of the 0patch Agent enables you to install the Agent on a computer without any involvement from the user by giving all needed parameters via command-line arguments. This method is only available on Windows computers. This installation also allows auto-registration, which means you do not have to manually give credentials to have the Agent registered on the 0patch server.

It is possible to install 0patch Agent through the use of Group Policy Objects (GPO) by employing a transform (MST) file; nevertheless, it is essential to keep in mind the following two points:

1. It is required that all of the parameters in the MST file be written in all capital letters; for example, the account key should not be reported as the account key.
2. It is not recommended to use the built-in update method while deploying the agent using GPO (either interactively via 0patch Console or remotely via 0patch Central). 
3. Doing so runs the risk of the agent’s update failing in the middle of its flight, resulting in the computer not having the agent installed. Therefore, if you are going to deploy the agent using GPO, we strongly suggest you also update the agent through GPO.

How to Uninstall OPatch Agent on Windows Clients?

It is possible to uninstall 0patch Agent interactively or stealthily by utilizing command-line parameters.

Interactive Uninstallation

To remove 0patch Agent interactively, open the Windows Control Panel as Administrator, navigate to “Add or Remove Programs” or “Programs and Features” (depending on the version of Windows you are using), and then pick the option to “Uninstall.”

You also have the option of launching (when logged in as Administrator) the installation package of the version of 0patch Agent that is presently installed and selecting the option to “Remove 0patch Agent.”

Silent Uninstallation

Launching the following command will result in the undetected

“msiexec /x 0patchInstaller.msi /q”

The 0patch Agent is a program that helps keep your computer safe and secure. If you want to use it, just find the GUID ( globally unique identifier ) from either HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE MicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall or on 64-bit systems only; then input this instead of pirating software!

Launching the following command will allow you to uninstall 0patch Agent from a 64-bit operating system:

msiexec /x {GUID} /q

Because this GUID is the same for all agents running the same version, you only need to collect it once on any of your agents and then use it to remove any number of agents running the same performance. Note that this GUID is the same for all agents running the same version.

How to Update OPatch Agent on Windows Clients?

A successful update process looks like this; 

Notifications from 0Patch Console 

When a new Agent version is made available, 0patch Console will begin telling you about the latest version in the “Agent Version” box on the Dashboard.

Download the New Version of Agent 

You will also notice the button that says GET LATEST VERSION there, which will begin the process of updating the agent when clicked. 

When you click the button labeled “GET LATEST VERSION” and confirm that you wish to update the Agent, a new version of the Agent will be downloaded from the server, and your existing Agent will be replaced with the understanding that was downloaded.

0Patch Console Gets Started

After a successful Agent update, the new 0patch Console will be started, and you will be able to verify its version in the “Agent Version ” box on the Console’s Dashboard.

Suppose a new version of Agent is available, but the version you are using is still supported (for more information about unsupported agents, see section 14.1, “Unsupported Agents”). In that case, you will be able to continue using 0patch Agent without any restrictions, and you will also continue to receive new patches as they are made available.

Bottom Line

Overall, 0patch offers users and corporate administrators the best micro-patching solution. Its lightweight nature and easy implementation significantly reduce s the time required for delivering patches. Plus, there is no need for downtime or worries about major updates interrupting production.

If you’re looking for a reliable way to patch software vulnerabilities, 0patch is the way to go. Try it out for yourself and see the difference it makes in your patching process.

We hope this post will help you learn about OPatch, the best micro-patching solution for businesses. Thanks for reading this post. Please share this post and help to secure the digital world. Visit our social media page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, Tumblr, & Medium and subscribe to receive updates like this.  

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