According to reports, a vulnerability has been detected in Microsoft Windows ActiveX that could enable a hacker remotely take control of a computer.
While Microsoft says the vulnerability allows only limited attacks, some security companies are rating it as a "critical" vulnerability.
Some versions of Windows, including Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 running Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0 have been affected by the vulnerability.
Visiting a specially crafted Website that triggers the XMLHTTP 4.0 ActiveX control, may lead to execution of code on users' machines, giving an attacker complete control over the machine.
Microsoft has issued a security advisory in which it has acknowledged the presence of the vulnerability. The company has asked users to disable the affected ActiveX control, to protect their machines from the vulnerability.
Further, Microsoft has advised all those already attacked to contact their local FBI office or post their complaint on the Internet Fraud Complaint Center Web site. Similarly, those outside of the US have been advised to contact the national law enforcement agency in their country.
Meanwhile, the un-patched flaw has been classified as a zero-day vulnerability by the SANS Institute.
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Sorry... but if your computer is online, it is basically vulnerable anyways... why does everyone keep fueling the cyber panic?
by Brian
from Raliegh
on 07/11/06 08:17 PM
The real problem with activeX is that so many general users do not even know what it is. THose that know how to use it are those that know how to run Windows and stay protected.....but millions simply haven't got a clue.....Microsoft knows this and they know that activeX problems also sells software. But if you run Linux online at the user level and stay out of the root level unless administrating, you don't need all the tools to stops popups, viruses, and so forth......again, I liked Windows and used the product for years.....but I gambled and made the Linux switch and honestly don't have all the nags one is forced to deal with when running Windows systems.
Nope...still live in a wood house Jeff and one with a studio of which I am recording up to 12 tracks of audio at once on my Linux Machine....something of which simply couldn't be done on my particular machine...anything over 4 tracks crashed and burned on XP.....However, I liked XP and feel it is Microsofts best so far.....but Linux does a much better job for my particular work....thus, I'll stay with it....
by treeorc
from shelton
on 09/11/06 05:37 AM
I switched to Linux simply because I feel my years of investment since Win 3.1 through XP have not paid off and because frankly Linux smokes Windows everywhere except in the gaming area. However, I do see Microsoft as trying to be innovative and I respect those who prefer its products. I simply made the switch and am glad I did.
by treeorc
from shelton
on 08/11/06 06:13 AM
Here is one important point to understand the concept security and vulnarability. Once you are on The Internet, your security is susceptible to all kinds of attack. It is true that many millions of dollars dwindled from US banks via Internet fraud. And please note that none of them are running Microsoft Windows Operating systems. There are en number of methods to breach into the networks whatever may be operating systems. It is your policy that secures the networked systems. Top wizards from all over the world are concerned with this are trying to ceal it off. Microsoft has evolved from a simple DOS to the level of a server making your Desk Top doing all the possible IT developments. It allowed you to do whatever you wished to do from a PC. Windows is simple, fast, flexible, adaptable and easy to run operating system that gave you total control over mamory to develop realtime applications.
I write this with good respect and appreciation to open source operating systems.
by Devaraja Kumar
from HYDERABAD
on 08/11/06 08:39 PM
All said and done, for desktops Microsoft is still the most widely used OS. Ample applications, gaming, fun to use OS. I still like it, and so are the crazy people buying new machines to run Vista. Oops what did I write, now I will be bashed with the most innovative comments :D
by Jim
from Mumbai
on 07/11/06 06:07 PM
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