Posted on 05/28/2009 8:27:59 PM PDT by Gomez
Microsoft has warned of a critical security bug in older versions of its Windows operating system that is already being exploited in the wild to remotely execute malware on vulnerable machines.
The vulnerability in a Windows component known as DirectX is being targeted using booby-trapped QuickTime files, which when parsed can allow attackers to gain complete control of a computer. Because many browsers are designed to automatically play video, people can be compromised simply by visiting a site serving malicious files. Vista, Windows Server 2008 and the beta version of Widows 7 are not affected, and neither is Apple's QuickTime player, Microsoft said.
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
Ping
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I wonder if by "older versions" they mean Windows XP. When someone says "older" I'm thinking Win2K, NT ...ect. Not XP.
I’m sitting here wondering I have been asked in a pop-up box to re-enter the email password I’ve been using for eight years. I cancel it, but it’s still weird. seems to have started after a McAfee upgrade.
I would suspect that any system not mentioned would be affected. So just keep the anti virus programs up to date. I have largely switched to MAC now but still have my Microsoft XP which has always functioned well for me. However, because my system is close to 6 years old and getting a little cranky, I have a new Mac desktop with my faithful ol’ PC right near by for the one big project I have had going for hears..genealogy with Family Tree Maker which is not Mac compatible...so I guess I am bilingual : )
XP is eight years old. That's "old".
Microsoft considers XP ancient. They've tried to kill it off about half a dozen times already and it keeps bouncing back like an undead zombie. It must drive them crazy.
Disclaimer: I like XP. The above is not in any way a slam on XP. I dislike Vista. I can tolerate Win7.
Anyway, Vista/Win7/Server2008 are a different security setup (compared to XP) in ways that affect this particular issue.
You could always convert your Windows machine into a VM and run it on your Mac. "VMWare Converter" works great for converting live running physical machines into VMs. It takes a little while to run, and can import the target machine from across the network into your VMWare setup.
This is an important notice for all of our West African and/or Chinese Freepers running pirated versions of Windows XP.
That's true. It just doesn't 'seem' that old to me I guess. Wow how time flys. lol
Microsoft's problem is that XP is probably the best OS they've come up with so far in terms of long-term stability an usability.
Sucks to be good, eh? (NOT an anti-Mac/*nix statement.)
Yep, my observation is that XP is/was the "sweet-spot" for Windows. Stable (finally), does plenty, isn't bloated, well-understood by users.
Microsoft can't follow XP. Not that Win7 isn't good -- it is. But it ain't nearly the sweet fit-to-needs-and-resources that XP became.
Microsoft is flogging a dead horse -- the NT codebase has been pushed farther than it can be and still work. MS is in the same position Apple was in the late 90's -- their operating system is a dead end.
If MS has half a brain, they're doing what Apple did -- layer their existing GUI over a stable, secure base, like Unix.
Unfortunately, MS has "Not Invented Here" stapled over their half-brain, and will re-invent another square wheel instead.
Which is a shame, because they've got really good software engineers, and they could make a leap past Apple if they were willing to admit that Unix runs better than their creaking NT crap.
Agreed. I've used Mac (starting with the Plus) Win (starting with 1.0) and *nix (various flavors.) Having done so, I always pick the software needed to do the job first and then buy the hardware to best support it.
I've use XP on my trusty Dell Inspiron 8500 for years and am still happy with it (allthough my Dell is now pretty underpowered for today's day and age. And the stupid d key hardly ever works without some encouragement.)
I'll prolly buy a new laptop after Windows 7 Service Pack 1. I hear it will run most of my favorite XP software anyway and most everything worthwhile will be updated by then anyway.
Microsoft better be rewriting from scratch as we speak or they are history.
All Hail BITNET! ;0)
XP has the issue.
So far my experience with Win7 has been good. It runs 12-yr-old apps built for WinNT/95, it has drivers, it recognizes pretty much everything I've thrown at it. I don't like its visual aspect, or the limitations it places on system tools, but as an application platform it's going to be good.
Like...???
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