Microsoft warns of serious computer security hole
July 6, 2009 By JORDAN ROBERTSON , AP Technology Writer
(AP) -- Microsoft Corp. has taken the rare step of warning about a serious computer security vulnerability it hasn't fixed yet.
The vulnerability disclosed Monday affects Internet Explorer users whose computers run the Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 operating software.
It can allow hackers to remotely take control of victims' machines. The victims don't need to do anything to get infected except visit a Web site that's been hacked.
Security experts say criminals have been attacking the vulnerability for nearly a week. Thousands of sites have been hacked to serve up malicious software that exploits the vulnerability. People are drawn to these sites by clicking a link in spam e-mail.
The so-called "zero day" vulnerability disclosed by Microsoft affects a part of its software used to play video. The problem arises from the way the software interacts with Internet Explorer, which opens a hole for hackers to tunnel into.
Microsoft urged vulnerable users to disable the problematic part of its software, which can be done from Microsoft's Web site, while the company works on a "patch" - or software fix - for the problem.
Microsoft rarely departs from its practice of issuing security updates the second Tuesday of each month. When the Redmond, Wash.-based company does issue security reminders at other times, it's because the vulnerabilities are very serious.
A recent example was the emergency patch Microsoft issued in October for a vulnerability that criminals exploited to infect millions of PCs with the Conficker worm. While initially feared as an all-powerful doomsday device, that network of infected machines was eventually used for mundane moneymaking schemes like sending spam and pushing fake antivirus software.
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first off, the article states the typical method it uses to get tpeople to the site is a link in spam mail...
"Thousands of sites have been hacked to serve up malicious software that exploits the vulnerability. People are drawn to these sites by clicking a link in spam e-mail."
ok so thats ID10T user right fkn there right....
Second off, which the article doesnt provide enough info, depending on HOW it exploits IE and the OS, it may be preventable, however, IF the default security settings on the OS of any given windows version are not locked down enough out of the box, that could of course open MANY holes..
But before you no MS likers actually swear off of Microsoft, you should look at the abilities to lock down the OS (at least in the "professional", "business", "ultimate", and server editions of ever OS since Win2000)...most exploits can be prevented, as long as you know how youre being attacked :)
LuckyBrandon, haven't you learned that here in the USA all the smart people are responsible for protecting the dumb people from themselves? That's why we have so many lawyers. LOL.
I know how to fix this.... send a spam email that goes to a site that explains to people (in simple terms) the dangers of clicking on links in spam emails. Oh, and put the words "Click me first" in the subjectline!!!! LOLOLOLOL :)
I like it Dig :D
I don't think Microsoft has a responsibility to protect people from their own stupidity; but I do think they have a responsibility to prevent their software from being weaponized into a platform for attacking and extorting innocent people.
evgen-if you put 20,000 linux systems out there in place of windows, i guarantee you that would not be a problem for long at all