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Sites exploit Windows image flaw (New attacks for pc users)
BBC.uk ^ | 12-29-05 | BBCNews

Posted on 12/30/2005 1:49:30 PM PST by emiller

Computer users are being alerted to a new flaw in Microsoft Windows which can be used to attack a PC. The US net watchdog, the Computer Emergency Response Center (Cert), and security firms have issued warnings about certain types of image files called Windows Metafiles.

Experts said numerous websites were taking advantage of the flaw to sneak into computers and install spyware.

Microsoft has said it is looking into the issue.

Spam bots

The flaw centres on the way

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption
KEYWORDS: flaw; pc; spam; spyware; windows
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At least this gives the 13 year old Russian kids in their efficiency apartments something to do all day--
1 posted on 12/30/2005 1:49:32 PM PST by emiller
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To: emiller

I finally broke down and bought a Mac a few weeks ago, and (once I got used to a few of the minor differences) I couldn't be happier about it.


2 posted on 12/30/2005 1:51:36 PM PST by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: wagglebee

So, homey don't right click? Hehehe.. welcome to the club!


3 posted on 12/30/2005 1:59:16 PM PST by BigTex5
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To: emiller

BTTT


4 posted on 12/30/2005 2:03:07 PM PST by Fiddlstix (Tagline Repair Service. Let us fix those broken Taglines. Inquire within(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: BigTex5

I finally got sick of all of the stupid updates that I had to download on almost a daily basis because the idiots at Microsoft couldn't get things right the first time. Everyone I knew who owned a Mac loved them once they got used to the differences, I needed a new notebook, so I sucked it up and spent a few hundred bucks more. I need to buy one or two more desktops this year and there is no way I am buying another PC.


5 posted on 12/30/2005 2:27:46 PM PST by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: emiller

There is a temporary fix for this, which is to turn off the windows metafile function until Microsoft releases a real bug fix.

You can find instructions on how to do it at Gibson Research. BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THE INSTRUCTIONS so you can turn the metafile function back on after you install the Microsoft update.

Here's the instructions for the temporary fix:

http://www.grc.com/sn/notes-020.htm


6 posted on 12/30/2005 2:32:58 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: wagglebee
I bought a Mac mini a few months ago just because I was tired of Window's security issues.

Window apologists will say that Macs don't have security issues because so few people use Macs. I don't really care about the reason why Macs are more secure, I just don't have to worry about spyware, virus, etc.
7 posted on 12/30/2005 2:47:23 PM PST by Ticonderoga34
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To: zert_28

The biggest thing I've noticed is that when I turn it on, it's ready to go in less than 30 seconds, Windows takes forever to load.


8 posted on 12/30/2005 2:53:32 PM PST by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: wagglebee

Good for you! You will never be sorry for getting that MAC.


9 posted on 12/30/2005 3:15:33 PM PST by Nasty McPhilthy (Those who beat their swords into plow shears….will plow for those who don’t.)
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To: wagglebee

That's the reason I stopped using Windows on my personal computer (though I'm not using Mac). It is also the reason I will be buying the wife an iMac G5 in the coming year.


10 posted on 12/30/2005 3:19:27 PM PST by twntaipan (Liberals: Eternally stuck on stupid.)
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To: twntaipan
It is also the reason I will be buying the wife an iMac G5 in the coming year.

That will be a great thing to give her. For most PC users, it's the closest thing to perfection available today.

I think they'll have to change the "G5" part of the model name when they switch to Intel Core chips.

11 posted on 12/30/2005 3:30:08 PM PST by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: Cicero

Thank You


12 posted on 12/30/2005 3:35:49 PM PST by ChefKeith (Flies,fleas,ants,ticks,cockroaches,lawyers & politicians All the same. Useless!!!)
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To: Nasty McPhilthy
Good for you! You will never be sorry for getting that MAC.

Unless you want to watch videos or flash files that everyone else can see, or use Access Databases others use. :~D

I loved them 15 years ago, but they do have issues communicating in a Windows dominated world.

And for all the griping, I've not had a virus or piece of spyware infect my Windows machine in over three years, and that one three years ago was my fault. I have a commercial virus tool, and my software stays up to date automatically and invisibly.

But don't tell that to the scareware makers :~D

13 posted on 12/30/2005 3:36:17 PM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: HairOfTheDog

"Unless you want to watch videos or flash files that everyone else can see, or use Access Databases others use. :~D"

I've never had the least bit of trouble viewing any file (video,audio,ppt,acrobat,photoshop,flash,shockwave,ect.)on any of the macs I've owned. ;)


14 posted on 12/30/2005 3:46:48 PM PST by Nasty McPhilthy (Those who beat their swords into plow shears….will plow for those who don’t.)
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To: HAL9000

I have grown tired of hearing her frustrations when she sits down to a computer she left mere minutes before only to have the beast just stop working.


15 posted on 12/30/2005 3:48:19 PM PST by twntaipan (Liberals: Eternally stuck on stupid.)
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To: emiller

Happy OS X user here... very happy


16 posted on 12/30/2005 3:49:41 PM PST by Cinnamon
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To: Nasty McPhilthy

I've had multiple friends with Macs, and all of them have had trouble sharing videos commonly found on the net.

I've been powerless to help them.


17 posted on 12/30/2005 3:50:52 PM PST by HairOfTheDog (Join the Hobbit Hole Troop Support - http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/ 1,000 knives and counting!)
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To: Cicero
BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THE INSTRUCTIONS so you can turn the metafile function back on after you install the Microsoft update.

That is a tip that is worth way more than its weight in gold.

18 posted on 12/30/2005 3:56:07 PM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: zert_28

You know, what gets me is the fact that there's so little competition out there. Sure, Firefox, Opera, Mac stuff, blah blah, but as soon as someone makes a better mousetrap, people will suck it up. Why does Microsoft have to have a stranglehold on everything? It's not healthy. I'm dissapointed that no one has come up with anything better in so many years. We basically have the same software we had in the 80s. SOmeone explain to me what the difference is between windows 3.1 and XP- haha


19 posted on 12/30/2005 3:57:46 PM PST by emiller
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To: HairOfTheDog
Unless you want to watch videos or flash files that everyone else can see, or use Access Databases others use. :~D

I don't know about Access Databases, but I've never had any problems with video or flash files on a Mac.

20 posted on 12/30/2005 3:59:06 PM PST by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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