Well, we know Microsoft is trying to stop that with its persecution of Lindows.
Posted on 12/23/2001 6:55:43 AM PST by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
The FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center said that, in addition to installing a free software fix offered by Microsoft on the company's Web site, consumers and corporations using Windows XP (news - web sites) should disable the product's ``universal plug and play'' features affected by the glitches.
The FBI did not provide detailed instructions how to do this. Microsoft considers disabling the ``plug and play'' features unnecessary.
The company acknowledged this week that Windows XP suffers from serious problems that allow hackers to steal or destroy a victim's data files across the Internet or implant rogue computer software. The glitches were unusually serious because they allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet.
Outside experts cautioned that disabling the affected Windows XP features threatens to render unusable an entire category of high-tech devices about to go on the market, such as a new class of computer printers that are easier to set up. But they also acknowledged that disabling it could afford some protection against similar flaws discovered in the future.
The FBI, in a bulletin released at 8 p.m. at the start of a long holiday weekend, also warned professional computer administrators to actively monitor for specific types of Internet traffic that might indicate an attack was in progress.
A top Microsoft security official, Steve Lipner, sought to reassure consumers and companies that installing the free fix was the best course of action to protect their systems.
Friday's warning from the FBI's cyber-protection unit came after FBI and Defense Department officials and some top industry experts sought reassurance from Microsoft that the free software fix it offered effectively stops hackers from attacking the Windows XP flaws.
The government's rare interest in the problems with Windows XP software, which is expected to be widely adopted by consumers, illustrates U.S. concerns about risks to the Internet. Friday's discussions came during a private conference call organized by the National Infrastructure Protection Center.
During the call, Microsoft's experts acknowledged the threats posed by the Windows XP problems, but they assured federal officials and industry experts that its fix - if installed by consumers - resolves the issues.
Microsoft declined to tell U.S. officials how many consumers downloaded and installed its fix during the first 24 hours it was available. Experts from Internet providers, including AT&T Corp., argued that information was vital to determine the scope of the threat.
Microsoft also indicated it would not send e-mail reminders to Windows XP customers to remind them of the importance of installing the patch.
Microsoft explained that a new feature of Windows XP can automatically download the free fix, which takes several minutes, and prompt consumers to install it.
``The patch is effective,'' said Lipner, Microsoft's director of security assurance, in an interview with The Associated Press.
Officials expressed fears to Microsoft about possible electronic attacks targeting Web sites and federal agencies during next week's Christmas holidays from computers running still-vulnerable versions of Windows, participants said.
Several experts said they had already managed to duplicate within their research labs so-called ``denial of service'' attacks made possible by the Windows XP flaws. Such attacks can overwhelm Web sites and prevent their use by legitimate visitors.
Another risk, that hackers can implant rogue software on vulnerable computers, was considered more remote because of the technical sophistication needed.
The FBI's cyber-security unit has been concerned about the threat and warned again Thursday that the potential of ``denial of service'' attacks is high. The agency said people unhappy with U.S. policy have indicated they plan to target the Defense Department's Web sites, as well as other organizations that support the nation's most important networks.
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On the Net:
Cool!
What happens with the stuff it DOESN'T notify you about? And is that pipe bi-directional? Just something else for the crackers to exploit; it's only a matter of time.
These people don't seriously doubt the laws exist. They're using Clintonista defense tactic #452 -- ask for proof, then find a single detail of that proof to argue with, and try and divert the topic to that detail.
From my experience, MS defenders don't believe what they're saying. They're just defending the 'popular' entity they like, for argument's sake.
I can destroy a frame house with gasoline and a match does that not make the house defective?
If drunk runs into your car and it kills you does that make your car defective?
If someone dropped you off the empire state building and you landed on some people and it killed them does that not make you defective?
There is no proof that Microsoft's softare does harm. A product that by iteself does harm is the legal definition of defective. Being vulnerable to attack is not a definition of defective.
XP is vulnerable to attack. Just as the place you live is.
If I attack an XP computer it will fail. If I threw gasoline and match on you, you would burn. Would that make you defective too? By your definition you certainly are.
Well, we know Microsoft is trying to stop that with its persecution of Lindows.
I did notice the Madonna song commercial promo was on constantly everywhere and then the marketing died down seemingly...If XP was launched with knowledge of a huge privacy flaw (as all news articles of the past weeks seem to insinuate) Someone may have a case.:::A lady sued Mickey D's with less basis of common sense:::
Me thinks Bill Gates ought to do some good PR -but quick- and offer free useful freebies and promos.I'd like MS Office for free -to start- Available ASAP on the download page. Then my inconvience and the seemingly outright deception will seem --not that bad--.
That is why and how Microsoft and other purveyors of crap products and policies have done so well.
You *must* understand product liability laws. You're just being obtuse on purpose, trying to find some way to distract the subject.
It's a 'fraud' thing.
To quote: When you buy a product from a merchant, by state law it comes with an automatic warranty which says that the product will function normally, for its intended purpose, for a reasonable period of time. This is an implied warranty of merchantability.
He can't. I also predict that he will defend his? not posting by calling you lazy, pointing to some obscure webpage that speaks in babble, or by dancing on the head of a pin. But I suspect that he will never disclose the figment of his imagination that contains the law of which he speaks.
From a non-techie whose life has been made simpler, easier, and better by Microsoft.
At least you are honest. You admit that Microsoft products have made your life easier, which is the point of computing anyway, right?
Your choice is fine with me, my man. Just fine. As for me, well . . .
Microsoft loves your money, babe.
We *did*.
Links and quotes have been posted. Look at posts 26 and 31. You simply refused to look, and then claimed it wasn't posted. So you can continue to repeat the lines you know aren't true in the first place.
Are you Bush2000, by chance?
Want it *again*?
Mass. Consumer Protection Laws
There's one from every state. Want them all?
***********************************************
Full quote:
Disclosure of Facts
Mass. Gen. Law Chapter 93A
940 Code of Mass. Regs. 3.05
When you buy from a merchant, you are entitled to all the key facts about the purchase before you buy.
A merchant is obligated under the law to disclose any fact, the disclosure of which may have influenced the buyer not to enter into the transaction to start with.
Similarly, sellers are required in advertising to disclose all material facts concerning the product or service which, if not disclosed, might directly or by implication, mislead the consumer.
Private party sellers, except in car sales, do not have the same obligation to disclose material facts unless asked.
And there's more. Want it all?
The truly sad thing is that I know you don't doubt this. You're just trying to obfuscate the point, hoping to confuse some people.
The answer seems obvious, I have to go look for those updates. I'm guessing that I recieve ALL updates that affect my computer/configuration, but I don't know that for a fact.
And is that pipe bi-directional?
Non-techie here, BUT, I think the downloads occur as a result of my registering the product, they keep track of what updates occur, and which ones I have received. Thats my estimation of what happens. I don't think it's a two way pipe.
Just something else for the crackers to exploit; it's only a matter of time.
Without a doubt, which is why I use a firewall. Not that it can't be broken through, but frankly, I don't have anything worth stealing. Just like in real(physical) life, those who have more to protect need to spend more money to protect their assets. A bank, for example, needs to spend more on security to protect the money they have on hand than I do. I have a $100 lock on my front door, the bank a $100,000 lock on their vault.
I like the feature, as I've said before, MS has made my life simpler. I suspect that posters like DH have some sort of axe to grind.
Does anyone out there really not know this is the law?
Will anyone argue this is *bad* law?
Can anyone deny that MS just spent 5 weeks *breaking* this law?
Anti-trust laws don't apply to MS. Consumer protection laws don't apply to MS.
How far does this go?
I'm sure they do. I'm also pleased that they do, because it is that healthy self interest on the part of MS that brought us XP. Just like new technology, financed in part by anticipated sales, is bringing us always better 4 wheel drive vehicles.
It's called capitalism, something I believe in.
I'll keep sending them money, because (broken record here) they've made my life, simpler, easier, better. All for a couple hundred dollars.
Does Microsoft have a disclaimer saying 'our product could be a piece of crappola -and- a hackers delight, we just don't know how will know till you are robbed blind and your identity is stolen.'
:-)
I bought only Intel until AMD made something that was better/cheaper for me, then AMD got my business.
To Linux, I say go for it! Thats an integral part of capitalism and the fierce, unforgiving competition that results.
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