Originally published February 4 2006
Hackers uncover new weakness in Windows
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to the Financial Times, a new weakness in Microsoft's Windows operating system may put PCs at risk of infection by spyware or viruses. Users may infect their computers by simply viewing a page, email or instant message.
Hackers have uncovered a new weakness in Microsoft's Windows operating system that could put hundreds of millions of PCs at risk of infection by spyware or viruses, the Financial Times reported.
The flaw, which allows computers to be infected using programs maliciously inserted into seemingly innocuous image files, was first discovered last week.
At the weekend a group of computer hackers published the source code they have used to exploit it.
Unlike most attacks, which require victims to download or execute a suspect file, the new vulnerability makes it possible for users to infect their computers simply by viewing a web page, e-mail or instant message that contains a contaminated image.
'The potential (security threat) is huge,' the Financial Times quoted Mikko Hyppoenen, chief research officer at antivirus company F-Secure, as saying.
'Its probably bigger than for any other vulnerability weve seen.
Any version of Windows is vulnerable right now.'
By late yesterday Microsoft had yet to release a security patch to correct the flaw, the FT added.
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