"Looking" No Longer OK On The Net

[dgridley]

It used to be that "look, but don't touch" was ok.. now there's a new virus threat that makes even that impossible..

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/0d644d5e-7bb3-11da-ab8e-0000779e2340.html

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.

 

[faisj]

Microsoft said in a security bulletin on its website that it was aware that the vulnerability was being actively exploited. However an official patch to correct the flaw was not expected to be released until January 10.

Can you believe that!!!

 

[dgridley]

Insane, eh?

Can you believe that!!!

 

[stscac]

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to be careful opening e-mail or following web links from untrusted sources, and provided instructions for a “workaround” that would reduce the likelihood of attacks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I'd expect that from Microsoft. They're essentially saying that you should know what is an is not infected.

ugh

-Steve

 

[The Equivocate]

"In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to be careful opening web sites that may contain images or text."

 

[webfreak]

"In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to be careful opening web sites that may contain images or text."

That's a good one. :hehe:

 

[armstrong]

It will never happen, but what if ...

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to download and install an unaffected web browser, such as Netscape, Firefox, or Opera.

or maybe ...

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to consider alternative uncompromised systems, such as Linux or MacOS.

 

[jstep]

Lol, the day that happens....hmm....Bill Gates will be dead?

 

[stscac]

It will never happen, but what if ...

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to download and install an unaffected web browser, such as Netscape, Firefox, or Opera.

or maybe ...

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to consider alternative uncompromised systems, such as Linux or MacOS.

I've been considering a switch to Linux. Seems that a shift in the web 2.0 era will cause more useful applications online, making a switch in operating system less tragic.

-Steve

 

[Rudy]

This is one of the reasons I hate Windows. Of course, I still use it, but I don't like it. And notice I said "one" of the reasons.

I also have a dual boot on my computer, with the other OS being Ubuntu Linux.

 

[Humdizzy]

Everyon is supposed to open email and web pages like they did with their real mail during the anthrax scare now? lol

 

[DomainSage]

It will never happen, but what if ...

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to download and install an unaffected web browser, such as Netscape, Firefox, or Opera.

or maybe ...

In the meantime, Microsoft said it was urging customers to consider alternative uncompromised systems, such as Linux or MacOS.

I really hate to point this out, but if any alternative browsers became more popular than Explorer then they would be attacked on the same level

Microsoft is not really any more vunerable, it just happens to be the most popular, and hence people will concentrate on attacking it.

For the Linux crowd, I started in Unix back on an old DEC PDP11/780 in the mid 80's and know how many loop holes that had to someone with any knowledge ... Accidentally crashed 3/4 million £ worth of computer.

I am a Linux junkie, the usual reason for security is that it is open source ... Which is true. However, it does mean that you have to keep up updating any software to plug security breaches ( the same as for Windows ).

If Windows suddenly drops in popularity you will see just how many 'holes' there are in Linux that can be exploited if you were of that mind.

Oh well, enough of my rant

All the best.

Richard

 

[0xide]

Microsoft having troubles with the new xbox's and everything is probely why it will be released pretty late... Although being released late will upset many online comuters, only thing we can do is try to be safe about the images that we view.

 

[.X.]

This is the reason why i concur with jail time for these offenders,Think of all the corporate damages they do,And for a mere thrill,Pathetic..Thanks for the heads up dave.

 

[Mike_Wiseman]

here in canada it is jail time if your caught hacking...

 

[sunken]

Everyon is supposed to open email and web pages like they did with their real mail doing the anthrax scare now? lol

Good thing I still have my gloves and my lye to handle that pesky email... Guess I'll use Firefox for a bit...Just downloaded the latest one.

 

[Maverick]

Will it never ceased?... wait don't answer that I already know the answer. *rolls eyes* Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DN Tycoon]

Imagine a world without things like this, what a boring place it would be. I am sure MS will fix this in no time and we can all just sit back and wait for the next big thing.

 

[JYM]

This is scary... I never thought you could get viruses from an image/mp3/video file....

Also how does it target Microsoft users? I don't even get how an "image virus" can work, but does it somehow transfer a script to your web browser or something? If we switch operating systems this can't happen right?

 

[commes]

well that just goes to show how techie every one is these days.jeez getting a virus just for lookin at an image.what next, you get a virus from turning on your computer?these needs to stop already.