Microsoft pushes out Windows patch ahead of time

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+pushes+out+Windows+patch+ahead+of+time/2100-1002_3-6020070.html?tag=nefd.top ^

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Excellent explanation of this new exploit!!!

All the Firewall's and anti spyware doesn't mean much with this exploit....

I think the Microsoft bureaucracy got caught with their shorts down!!!

[RadioAstronomer]

I didn't know that. Thanks. Glad this patch is coming out. I am certainly not a securty expert.

[goldstategop]

Microsoft Office 2004 does. You can even run Windows inside your Mac. Don't try running Windows XP though. Slow as molasses. Grab a copy of Windows 2000 Professional off Ebay and you're set.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Turbopilot]

Well, they need to maintain backward compatibility, although I've heard Vista won't be as thorough as XP and previous versions were, which I'll miss.

But I find it hard to believe that a flaw that penetrates to the core of a system, i.e. allows someone to execute malicious code on your system, can survive across the DOS 4.x - DOX 6.22 - DOS 7/Win 95 - DOS 8/Win 98 - 2000/NT5 - XP/NT5.1 development lines. Like I said, they don't even share the same kernel.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well,....I think this is just an application.....but because of the way Windows is constructed....it has access to privileged services....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

i.e. allows someone to execute malicious code on your system,

THAT is the Windows FLAW!!!

[goldstategop]

Huh? All I have installed on my Mac is a beefed-up firewall called Intego Net Barrier X3. There's no need for all that Windows security software. Viruses, worms and malware are nothing for Mac users to worry about. There's no need for an anti-virus program. Ditto for a spyware scanner. That's how secure Mac OSX is. And since you were asking Safari as a browser beats Internet Explorer by a mile and although its still installed in Mac OSX no body ever runs it because Microsoft stopped developing it for the Mac for ages now. My other browser is - you guessed it - Firefox. I have all the apps I ever need out of the box on here and the only thing I bought were two Microsoft Office 2004 Professional CDs. So now I have all the programs most people use every day. Didn't have to spend thousands on new software. That's now different its with a Mac.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Turbopilot]

Upon rereading, it looks like only 2000, 2003, and XP are vulnerable to the flaw, which makes more sense. Of course. it's never good if malicious code can be executed on your machine.

But it looks like for this specific flaw to be exploited, you have to go to a web page or open an email or document containing a .WMF picture that's been edited maliciously. So so users were always safe from this one as long as they followed the standard rule never to open an email or document from someone you don't know or that you can't identify, and avoid websites such as my old favorite, www.pr0n-n-w4r3z.ru. Opening something containing malicious code can screw up any machine.

[snowsislander]

I have tried running a version of Linux from CD. Eh.
It won't save my settings,bookmarks, etc. Therefore I have to put all that stuff in each time I start it up. A real PIA.

If you would like to save your state from reboot to reboot using a Linux live-cd, you might try the Puppy distribution.

[steveo]

It just came up as an automatic download on my computer. I downloaded it and it's working perfeoi jvian rauiogtr iugho soidj fgoiht aoieh9852907-0^&()*3-

[Blood of Tyrants]

Jeez, what is it with all the animosity towards people who don't want to make Bill Gates even richer for making an inferior and defective product?

[Gomez]

From what I understand, you could also get it from a hotlinked image. So even browsing FR could expose you.

[Doohickey]

Class envy and principio principii all in one post. Impressive.

[palmer]

So even browsing FR could expose you.

Not if you browse with lynx. I SSH to my server and lynx from there. No FW, no AV, no spyware checker, no patches.

[Swordmaker]

However, I run very complex math and orbit oriented software that does not run on a Mac. Two of my machines use Linux and two (the SGI and Sun) use their respective UNIX flavors.

Um, you are aware, aren't you, that Macs are UNIX? You should be able to compile your application for Macs from either the Linux or SGI or Sun code... Macs are quite well thought of in the scientific areas because of their ease of use and the flexibility of UNIX that is the OSX foundation under the GUI.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Heck, they don't even fix one before they are releasing a NEW version. And not only that, they are no longer going to support XP Home edition after the first of 2007. So get this, if you run out this summer and buy a new PC with Windows XP Home edition on it, it will not be supported after a paltry 6 months.

A pox Bill Gates and the crap he has foisted on us all.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is not class envy to not to want to pay money for an inferior product.

[Bush2000]

Oh, yeah. I'm sure that all he has to do is recompile his code, right? LMFAO! Who's your dealer? I've gotta get me some of that stuff you're smoking...

[Bush2000]

Then why did you mention "making Gates richer" if it was irrelevant to your point?

[Mannaggia l'America]

All the Firewall's and anti spyware doesn't mean much with this exploit....

Umm... Antivirus makers catch up to Windows bug

"While users wait for a Microsoft fix, many antivirus products will protect PCs against attacks that exploit a recently disclosed Windows flaw, but not all. "

"According to a test of a range of antivirus products published on Wednesday, Trend Micro was the only major antivirus vendor that failed to catch a number of malicious files that exploit the new Windows vulnerability."