Re: PSA: Windows PCs face 'huge' virus threat: 1990 - Present

John Steinberg wrote:

> FINANCIAL TIMES, Jan. 2, 2006.
>
> ...The flaw, which allows hackers to infect computers using programs
> maliciously inserted into seemingly innocuous image files, was first
> discovered last week. But the potential for damaging attacks increased
> dramatically at the weekend after a group of computer hackers published
> the source code they used to exploit it. Unlike most attacks, which
> require victims to download or execute a suspect file, the new
> vulnerability makes it possible for users to infect their computers
> with spyware or a virus simply by viewing a web page, e-mail or instant
> message that contains a contaminated image.

What OS was that again? Whatever it is, I gotta get me one of them
computers what runs it. Oh, wait, never mind, I got one already.
Haven't turned it on for some months, but I guess I'll fire it up and
install the official fix when it comes. Download it on a Mac, copy to a
flash drive. Remove the wireless card from the target laptop to prevent
disaster, install the fix, and then go through the hour or so of
routine security/anti-virus/anti-malware updates that are required when
I don't use that other laptop for some time. Gotta feel really sorry
for the non-experts out there who are using that other OS.

> ``We haven¹t seen anything that bad yet, but multiple individuals and
> groups are exploiting this vulnerability,'' Mr Hyppönen said. He said
> that every Windows system shipped since 1990 contained the flaw.

16 years!?

> Meanwhile, some security experts were urging system administrators to
> take the unusual step of installing an unofficial patch created at the
> weekend by Ilfak Guilfanov, a Russian computer programmer.

!!!!

******

Say, John, are we going to try for tube steaks at NEAF this year? It's
being held on Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, but there is a two-day
astro-imaging conference being held on May 4 and 5, and I plan to
attend that as well. I'll be at NEAF on Saturday for sure, at least
part of Sunday, as well. You being a Big Business Guy and me
unemployed, I can adjust my schedule to yours.
<http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf.htm>.

Davoud

--
usenet *at* davidillig dawt com
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: ELLiE
    ... I have a problem with my attitude. ... problem here has been my ignorance of computers, hackers, ... >The Windows Update process is actually very secure (Think ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • _More_ congressional computers hacked, from China
    ... More congressional computers hacked from China ... Frank Wolf, Chris Smith, and Mark Kirk ... Wolf and Smith said they believe the hackers focused on them because ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Fw: [Full-Disclosure] whoch DCOM exploit code are they speaking about here?
    ... > Security researchers on Tuesday detected hackers distributing software to ... > computers last month. ... Homeland Security officials have warned ...
    (Full-Disclosure)
  • Re: PSA: Windows PCs face huge virus threat: 1990 - Present
    ... which allows hackers to infect computers using programs ... > maliciously inserted into seemingly innocuous image files, ... > dramatically at the weekend after a group of computer hackers published ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: PSA: Windows PCs face huge virus threat: 1990 - Present
    ... which allows hackers to infect computers using programs ... >> dramatically at the weekend after a group of computer hackers published ... >> take the unusual step of installing an unofficial patch created at the ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)