For anyone who thinks that Windows OS is secure

[Sanaz]

So now, the latest virus for WinXP doesn't even require a DOWNLOAD!! Just hovering your mouse over a malicious MP3 or Windows Media File can run code as root on your WinXP OS. I thought the MS Outlook viruses were bad, but this is by far the scariest virus threat I've heard about (unless I'm misunderstanding the implications) :

XP Flaw Puts MP3, Windows Media Files at Risk

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,795100,00.asp

 

[Civddict]

ask your mother would she like to recompile kernel or to edit X86Config file

 

[Sanaz]

Originally posted by Civddict
ask your mother would she like to recompile kernel or to edit X86Config file

I in no way suggest that "Linux is the cure to all evil in the computer world". I will personally use it for networking tools and flexibility only. I was merely pointing out to the forum that there is a new, and potentially very scary, type of security threat. Microsoft has continually pushed for suppression of CERT notices re: security vulnerabilities, and has continually underestimated the impact of threats becoming live viruses. It is important that users know to take some extra precautions when surfing, that they know the threats, and that they at the very minimum remember to load MS security patches regularly. And regardless of Microsoft's "ease of use", it IS scary that simply hovering on a link on a web page could potentially run malicious code, with admin privileges, on a remote workstation. That breaks down another level of "implicit" security on the internet, where previously you would have to at least load the page (and previously you'd need to download and run an application).

 

[Lucky]

Too bad I don´t use XP!

It´s probably about time they release their second service pack:
WinXP SP2 (500MB: 450MB securing Windows against the user, e.g. registration security, etc; 49MB = more useless XP stuff, 1MB = actual bug fixes).