With automatic Windows Vista updates, many users get an error 80072EFD! Now there are large amounts of forum entries with such or similar doubtful solutions in the Internet:

The second is that the libraries which allow encryption have been damaged and need to be
re-registered. To re-register them, click Start, then Run, and enter the following:
regsvr32 softpub.dll
then click OK and do the same for the following:
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 MSXML3.dll

…such substantial changes I would advise against!

The solution for the Windows Vista update problem and/or the 80072EFD error can be repaired by using IE7

That is actually no solution, but a Workaround for the 80072EFD problem: Instead of this Windows Vista update of the operating system , there’s also the possibility for the Windows Vista update via IE7.

Thus simply start Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) , in the menu EXTRAS (Specials) click the menu option WINDOWS UPDATE . So - now the update should actually work (through all Firewalls etc.).

Unfortunately this is no automated solution, but you can start this manual workaround simply from time to time. I think that is justifiable for your “Security”….