Sites exploit Windows image flaw

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RogerS

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4566504.stm

extracted from the article..

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

..."Exploit code has been publicly posted and used to successfully attack fully-patched Windows XP SP2 systems," said Cert. "However, other versions of the Windows operating system may be at risk as well."...

....Experts say there is no patch available for the flaw, which affects computers running Windows XP, ME, 2000 and Windows Microsoft Windows Server 2003....

Guess it is only a matter of time before my own massively protected PC gets infected by something nasty
:cry: :cry:
 
Worrying :(

I've only ever had PC's, but a couple of friends have macs and they never seem to experience these sorts of concerns. Is this purely down to viruses being aimed at the masses i.e. windows users?

We've been thinking for a while now, to give a mac a try when we're due to upgrade.

Cheers,

Howard
 
Hi Howard

Well, you won't be the first or the last to consider changing to the Mac. I don't want to start any religious wars going but if you search the forums you'll see that quite a few have opted for a Mac.

The simple fact is that currently (and ignoring macro viruses that run on things like Word and are cross-platform) there are no viruses that are out there for the current version of the Mac operating system. Zilch. Nada. None. Nor any trojans nor any spyware.

There is also the fundamental way that the two operating systems work and Unix (on which the current mac OS is based) IMHO was designed from the outset with security and robustness in mind.

If you like playing games then stick to a PC.

If there is one particular program that only runs on the PC and you need it because of work or other external dependencies then stick to the PC.

If there is one particular program that only runs on the PC, do some research to see what is also available out there for the Mac. You'll be surprised and so it is worth the learning curve to use a Mac based alternative.

If you love ripping your PC apart to install the latest wizz bang oojamaflip then stick to the PC.

But if all you want to do is use a computer then get a Mac and ignore threads like this one :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is a useful link http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/security/
 
Hi Roger
there's 2 ways of getting round this problem

http://www.hexblog.com/2005/12/wmf_vuln.html

and download the patch from Ilfac Guilfanov

or...

To immediately disable the vulnerable Windows component:
Logon as a user with full administrative rights.
Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Run..."
Enter the following string into the "Open" field:

regsvr32 -u shimgvw.dll

Click "OK" to unregister the vulnerable DLL.

to reverse this re-enter the above text string without the '-u'

the downloadable patch is superior - check out steve gibsons page for more info..

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

jim
 
Thanks Jim.....but I use a Mac for most of my computing :D :D but it will be very helpful to others.

Do you know what functionality is removed by disabling this Microsoft component?

Just wonder how many other DLL's there are in Microsoft's software just waiting to be exploited.

Ah well....is there an Emoticon for 'smug' mode :lol: :lol: You can spend all your waking hours patching PC's. :evil:
 
Thanks Roger.

We mainly use our PC for the net, email, photos and music. No gaming and not dependant on PC only programs, so I think I can tick all the boxes!

The iMac G5 really appeals......but the powerbooks are tempting too. :wink:

Cheers

Howard
 

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