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Microsoft: SP2 shimmy's not a flaw
CNET ^ | 02/01/2005 | Matt Hines

Posted on 02/02/2005 12:02:08 PM PST by r5boston

Microsoft downplayed the significance of a reported flaw in its latest update to Windows XP.

Responding to a Russian security company's claim that it found a way to beat a protective element of Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2, the software giant on Tuesday said it does not believe the issue represents a vulnerability. In fact, the company said the technology highlighted by Moscow-based Positive Technologies was never meant to be "foolproof" and added that the reported flaw does not, by itself, put consumers at risk.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: computers; microsoft; moscow; russia; sp2; windows; xp
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In related news "Baghdan Bob" is now running Microsoft's PR department.
1 posted on 02/02/2005 12:02:08 PM PST by r5boston
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To: ShadowAce

bump


2 posted on 02/02/2005 12:05:19 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (More than two lawyers in any Country constitutes a terrorist organization. ©)
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To: rdb3; chance33_98; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; Bush2000; PenguinWry; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; ...

Microsoft SP2 Ping


3 posted on 02/02/2005 12:06:40 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: r5boston
the reported flaw does not, by itself, put consumers at risk.

Exactly, the reported flaw must be combined with some form of malicious attack.

4 posted on 02/02/2005 12:06:53 PM PST by Onelifetogive (* Sarcasm tag ALWAYS required. For some FReepers, sarcasm can NEVER be obvious enough.)
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To: JoJo Gunn

Flaws, certainly not, THEY ARE FEATURES!!!!


5 posted on 02/02/2005 12:08:20 PM PST by TXBSAFH (Never underestimate the power of human stupidity--Robert Heinlein)
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M$ should run for DNC Chair.


6 posted on 02/02/2005 12:09:28 PM PST by oolatec
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To: Onelifetogive

Just like an unlocked door doesn't pose a threat until someone decides to try it...

Personally, I can't really blame Microsoft for all the problems, because I consider the efforts of those who try to hack it to be similar to a burglar who tries every doorknob in a neighborhood looking for an unlocked door.

It is easy to blame the homeowner for not locking the door, or for using a substandard lock, but the reality is the burglar was committing an illegal act to begin with.


7 posted on 02/02/2005 12:10:27 PM PST by stylin_geek (Liberalism: comparable to a chicken with its head cut off, but with more spastic motions)
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To: r5boston
It's the old programmer's response:

"That's not a bug; it's an undocumented feature."

8 posted on 02/02/2005 12:11:37 PM PST by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: r5boston

No Security Flaws here!


9 posted on 02/02/2005 12:12:06 PM PST by blues_guitarist (Black conservatives arise!)
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To: TXBSAFH
Yep, and the longer I put off XP the more foolish I feel.
10 posted on 02/02/2005 12:13:42 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (More than two lawyers in any Country constitutes a terrorist organization. ©)
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To: r5boston
I see that someone already beat me to the "not a bug, it's a feature!" comments, so I'll just bump.
11 posted on 02/02/2005 12:14:02 PM PST by zeugma (Come to the Dark Side...... We have cookies!)
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To: stylin_geek

Simply and well stated.

As long as the scum exists, no OS or browser is safe, (no matter what any particular "cheerleader" says).


12 posted on 02/02/2005 12:17:30 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (More than two lawyers in any Country constitutes a terrorist organization. ©)
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To: oolatec
M$ should run for DNC Chair.

Might as well. Bill Gates donates millions to DNC, Planned Parenthood and other assorted socialist causes.

13 posted on 02/02/2005 12:23:30 PM PST by BullDog108 (Islamists are Insane! http://bvml.org/webmaster/islam.html)
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To: JoJo Gunn
As long as the scum exists, no OS or browser is safe, (no matter what any particular "cheerleader" says).

That's worthy for a nomination for Quote of the Day

14 posted on 02/02/2005 12:25:34 PM PST by steveegg (The secret goal of lieberals - to ensure that no future generation can possibly equal theirs.)
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To: ShadowAce
... does not, by itself, put consumers at risk.

... said the label on the case of nitroglycerin bottles.

15 posted on 02/02/2005 12:27:47 PM PST by LTCJ
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To: JoJo Gunn
JoJo,

While its right to assume all have weaknesses its not ok to leave your door unlocked because there are bad people out there. Hell why even put lock on doors with all the robbers we have, they are going to get in anyway.

Some are safer than others and there are not too many MS can say they are safer then..

16 posted on 02/02/2005 1:02:45 PM PST by N3WBI3
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To: N3WBI3

You're right. It falls on us to protect ourselves as best we can.

I wince at all those who might give false impressions to tyros that Linux is safer or Mac is safer or Mozilla is safer since they're not as high profile.

Since last year I've really fallen into Firefox because of its popup blocker and adblock extension, but it's not so "perfect" as to give up my firewall or anti-virus or Hosts file (or nasties list, since IE does have its uses). Mozilla even has a couple of things about it that's mind numbingly goofy, but I digress.

Oh well, I try to keep up as best as a Joe Layman can, and hopefully help others along when possible, because obviously the hackers aren't going to disappear until the "turn the other cheek" crowd gets some backbone and demands at least some chopping off of some fingers of the hackers.


17 posted on 02/02/2005 2:20:04 PM PST by JoJo Gunn (More than two lawyers in any Country constitutes a terrorist organization. ©)
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To: N3WBI3

I agree with the locked doors to a certain extent, but I know of rural areas where locking doors is virtually unheard of.

As for robbers getting in anyway, when you have to put bars on windows and cages around doorsteps, perhaps there is a problem beyond just locking the doors.


18 posted on 02/02/2005 3:16:42 PM PST by stylin_geek (Liberalism: comparable to a chicken with its head cut off, but with more spastic motions)
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To: stylin_geek

Then why does anyone without bars on their windows lock their doors??


19 posted on 02/02/2005 4:01:03 PM PST by N3WBI3
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To: stylin_geek
Not quite, Microsoft is like a lock smith who sells you a lock and promises that it will hold in a reasonable environment. Instead it turns and opens your door to the first burglar.
20 posted on 02/02/2005 11:06:35 PM PST by jb6 (Truth = Christ)
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