 | Microsoft to XP Users: 'Don't Press F1' |  |
 Posted: 03/03/2010 2:05 AM |
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Microsoft to XP Users: 'Don't Press F1'
If you're still using Windows XP, Microsoft has a piece of security advice for you: don't hit F1.
A recently discovered vulnerability is disrupting how Windows XP handles VBScripts that are used to load Help files. Hackers could disguise malicious code as a Windows Help file (with the extension ".hlp"), and then launch a pop-up window prompting users to press F1 for help. Pressing F1 would in fact load the malicious file, and execute the code, thus infecting a PC. Fortunately, the vulnerability does require user interaction, so those who refrain from using Help (or who turn it off entirely) will remain safe. Details for how to turn off Help can be found here.
The vulnerability applies to IE6, IE7, and IE8 on Windows XP. Vista and Windows 7 users, meanwhile, are unaffected.
Microsoft is currently working to patch the flaw, but has not announced a time by which to expect a fix. This is just one more reason to join the 21st century, and leave XP behind as the quaint memory of a bygone era that it is.
HA!! I beg to differ! I wouldn't be surprised if M$ created this "hacker" just to get people to upgrade their OS to 7.
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| Re: Microsoft to XP Users: 'Don't Press F1' | |
| Posted: 03/03/2010 9:09 AM |
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HA!! I beg to differ! I wouldn't be surprised if M$ created this "hacker" just to get people to upgrade their OS to 7.
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You know, you seldom hear about these attackers getting caught and makes you wonder how much they are intertwined with companies that benefit from the trouble. This is convenient for ms. |
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| Re: Microsoft to XP Users: 'Don't Press F1' | |
| Posted: 03/03/2010 12:21 PM |
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| Thanks RB for the heads up |
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| Re: Microsoft to XP Users: 'Don't Press F1' | |
| Posted: 03/03/2010 1:32 PM |
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| fishead wrote:
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HA!! I beg to differ! I wouldn't be surprised if M$ created this "hacker" just to get people to upgrade their OS to 7.
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You know, you seldom hear about these attackers getting caught and makes you wonder how much they are intertwined with companies that benefit from the trouble. This is convenient for ms.
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I think your right. |
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