Micrsoft Admits XP Security Flaw By TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Microsoft Corp. acknowledged several serious flaws Thursday in its newest version of Windows, billed as the most secure ever, that allow hackers to steal or destroy a victim's data files across the Internet or implant rogue computer software. It urged consumers to quickly install a free fix it offered. A Microsoft official said the risk to consumers was unprecedented because the glitches allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP (news - web sites) operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet. ... The Windows XP problems affect a little-used feature that eventually will allow consumers to control high-tech household appliances using their computers. Called ``universal plug and play,'' the feature is activated by design in every copy of Windows XP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Ah well, the price of controlling a toaster or solar curtains seems to be high these days. Now with XP zombie soldiers sporting full rawsocket capabilities, script kiddies will be able to make all our lives miserable, probably until IAPs and ISPs replace all their routers with stateful firewalls, so they can detect and block spoofed IPs and strange TCP packets. Please recall nasty little comedies like this before you ask linux to be more like windows. Linux is the wayy it is to avoid these types of problems, or to make them quickly discovered and fized. The home edition of XP makes every user privileged, and therefore the exploit works well there where it would not if only one user had admin access. Of course I have been known to use my computer for an alarm clock with VigMeUp and some horrid electronic music, but I have never used it to start my microwave or cook a steak! My coffeepot has its own CPU; so does my thermostat and my VCR. Civileme
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