A Microsoft security advisory issued over the weekend says that a vulnerability in Windows RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) has been discovered which makes systems running Windows XP, Windows 2K, and Server 2003 susceptabile to DOS (denial of service) attacks.
Says the advisory, “Our initial investigation has revealed that a denial of service vulnerability exists that could allow an attacker to send a specially crafted Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) request to an affected system.”
The vulnerability affects Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003.
If you believe that your system may be affected, Microsoft advises “Customers in the U.S. and Canada who believe they may have been affected by this possible vulnerability can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support that is associated with security update issues or viruses. International customers can receive support by using any of the methods that are listed at Security Help and Support for Home Users Web site.”
Adds Microsoft, regarding mitigating factors, “Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect networks from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter. Best practices recommend that systems that are connected to the Internet have a minimal number of ports exposed.”
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You can read more about this issue and find information for further determinging whether your system may be affected [Page no longer available – we have linked to the archive.org version instead].
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I am a Network security guy for a major company, i deal with viral and other infection issues daily, if you get viruses it is because you shouldnt be behind a computer screen, most viruses come from add on’s not web surfing. If you make sure you delete your temporary internet files and keep your security at medium High you wont run into as many issues. Make sure you do not visit porn sites, those give your PC’s viral issues most of the time. Also if you want a screensaver go buy one at a store as screensavers.com installs registry nightmares on your PC. Just be smart and you wont have any issue. Also buy yourself a Good AV program, im tired of seeing Mcafee everywhere, there AV blows… you mine as well not have one. My recomendations for the cheap Av’s out there try CA E-Trust or Symantec AV, or go for broke and get Trend Micro. Also make sure you keep track of your computer. If you have kids, dont give them administrative rights on the computer, that will alow them to install anything… Another thing to realise, most of the major AV’s out there have adwatchers built in which means you can edit the sites kids go to though that. Tool bars create pop-up’s, and google packages can slow a pc to no end. The fact is, if you have a PC, dont open emails from people you dont know, dont go to porn sites without protection (A good AV), and dont go to stupid sites, free screensavers, or free download sites. And if you still have issues with viruses and all you do is look at email, go online and find a site to download Linix, you will never get any viruses on that, and it is free. Redhat even offers support with the paid version. But if your like me and you like your Windows enviornment, then just deal with it, its not going to get any better with Vista trust me. If the microstoft company really wanted to stop viruses they would, all they would need to do is create a new extention for .exe files and .dll files then create a conversion program to allow specified .exe and .dll programs to run, hell linix did it years ago…
Well gee Mat if you do that how can you get importent articles like the one that provoked your response?
[Quote] Microsoft Advises Windows XP, 2K and Server Vulnerabile to DOS attact.[Un-quote]
My gosh! What’s next? I just cannot believe that the people who write these viruses are seldom caught, if ever, and sent to prison. It makes me wonder, sometimes, if the people who create and sell antivirus programs are the very same people who send out viruses, which keeps them in business. I’m so tired of crap like this that I am close to throwing my computer out the window. Snail-mail is looking mighty appealing again. At least it cannot carry a virus in the letter. Some of my family have gone offline, because of stuff like your article is about. I’m about to join them.
Regards,
Matthew