Evangelising the Metaverse since 2001
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Microsoft patches a critical Windows XP security flaw
DEVELOPER OF INSECURE SOFTWARE Microsoft has revealed the scale of the threat posed to Windows XP by a recent security vulnerability.
As The INQUIRER reported, the threat leaves Windows XP and 2003 users wide open to attackers invoking commands by using the wscript.shell object. Finally Microsoft released a patch to address the problem, but not before the vulnerability has resulted in at least 25,000 computers being attacked.
According to the Vole's figures, the rate of attacks is rising steadily, and machines located in the UK have recently been subjected to a surge in attacks. While Brits may have been targeted lately, we lag some way behind Russia and Portugal.
These figures might not represent the full picture as Microsoft is publishing figures only from machines that run its own security software. Given the numerous security packages available to consumers, it is highly likely that the number of attacks on computers running Windows XP and 2003 is higher.
The Vole is urging its Windows XP and 2003 users to apply its critical update, which should plaster over the broken security model of its operating systems, at least until the next vulnerability is discovered and exploited. µ
Tags: Microsoft
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Hey Inq, quit posting old stories you wrote -- I remember this one from last year. And 2008. Er, and 2007. Um... and several times a year before that...
Oh. I see.
Except I use PCLinuxOS. It's difficult to choose from the numerous *nice* versions of Linux, but sampling costs only a download and a CD at most.
No doubt this "update" takes the time to check to legitimacy of your Office installation aswell. Windows updates are drip feeding the general public into software by subscription, ie. into craving the drug of updates which offer little or no evidence that they do anything at all, apart from checking that you've fully paid up software licenses on your PC.
"DEVELOPER of insecure software"
That is nothing short of libelous. "Developer of most widely used desktop operating system and software IDE's" - that is accurate. The article opening - is not!
@Gentoo - openSUSE is one of the better linux distro's out there I will grant you, but is hardly anything short of bloatware either, let's be fair about it now....
Good piece of impartial journalism there, very well written, sir. I just wish you'd said what you really think about MS, instead of presenting facts over opinion.
I believe that Windows XP is being used in the UK armed forces.
Should we be interested or worried about this "pathetic operating system", as hackers seem to be able to take it over and do what they will with it? Like play "battleship" for Windows for Warships? Perhaps the armed forces could hire "Gentoo" as a consultant before bad things start to happen. Just a thought.
"I can't cope with either so I'm using openSUSE posted by : Gentoo"
I just knew after seeing the title that a sad and pathetic Linux geek would have responded.
Just how many people here do you think are interested in what operating system you are using, ffs grow up
Is it that he can cope with "insecure" but not "bloated"?
I can't cope with either so I'm using openSUSE