Microsoft Hack Alert

[Garry Russell]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24814999

[GHD]

I'm glad I am still running XP

[DaveB]

I don't have any of those OS's.. err, I have Vista on the laptop

This is another case of media hype. Every windows update, regardless of platform, has 'vulnerability' fixes so why this has been picked up now is beyond me. There can't be much real news happening
ATB
DaveB

[nigelb]

Sorry Dave, I don't agree with that "media hype" comment. I don't have one of the operating systems mentioned but if I did I would appreciate the warning, especially since Microsoft may not patch the vulnarability for a while. If they miss the November patch Tuesday, it might wait until December unless they issue an out of cycle patch

"Microsoft said it would take appropriate action to address the issue, which "may include providing a security update through our monthly release process or providing an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs".

I woould think there would be a little more urgency on Microsoft's part, and what is this "depending on customer needs" nonsense? Customers need secure systems. FULL STOP (Period for the Colonials.)

Nigel²

[Airspeed]

Message to hackers:
"If it ain't fixed, don't break it. Get a proper job."

[DaveB]

Nige.. the wording in the announcement is exactly the same as that given with the majority of 'security' issues M$ fix of which I might add, there are many. I appreciate what you're saying but I don't think the hackers who 'find' these holes are considerate enough to wait until 'update Tuesday' and 99.999% of us sitting on the end are not aware these holes exist until M$ issue a KB to fill them anyway. That article reads like this is something new. While that particular vulnerability is new.. in the grand scale of things, it doesn't appear to be any worse than the others it fixes on a monthly basis

ATB
DaveB

[airboatr]

What is the number one rule using the computer

Don't open email from senders you don't know.

But of course if you get an email from an email address you do know read the subject line. If it's empty
I don't open it or if it has a subject that's hinky, I don't open it.

eg:
the other week I received an email from my brother with "Hey!" in the subject line.
My brother would never put "Hey!" in the subject line. It just isn't his style.
I phoned him and said I think your email has been hacked. He said
again??

No subject or FW: in the subject line is a bin item for me.
Anyone who has my email knows to add a subject topic. Or else.

To some that may be extreme , I say, it's up to you , do what you want, It's your computer and your data.

Best of luck to all of us. The hackers are getting craftier by the minute.

[TSR2]

Very sound advice Joe

[GHD]

I use the payware MailWasher Pro to view mail before downloading

[DaveB]

I have MWP but rarely use it now as BT said they were pulling my email after over 18months of not being with them. Fair enough I guess Not such a hassle with Hotmail.. anything I don't like the look of either gets labelled Junk or hits the trash bin

ATB
DaveB