Windows Vista

[surrey jim]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6320865.stm

Vista has speech recognition hole
Microsoft has admitted that speech recognition features in Vista could be hijacked so that a PC tells itself to delete files or folders.

Vista can respond to vocal commands and concern has been raised about malicious audio on websites or sent via e-mail.

In one scenario outlined by users a MP3 file of voice instructions was used to tell the PC to delete documents.

Microsoft said the exploit was "technically possible" but there was no need to worry.

The firm has pointed out that in order for the flaw to be exploited the speech recognition feature would need to be activated and configured and both microphone and speakers would have to be switched on.


There are also additional barriers that would make an attack difficult
Microsoft security researcher

"The exploit scenario would involve the speech recognition feature picking up commands through the microphone such as 'copy', 'delete', 'shutdown', etc. and acting on them," a Microsoft security researcher wrote on the team's official blog.

Some Vista users have already tested the exploit and were able to delete files and empty the trash can so that the documents were not retrievable.

Microsoft has said that even if the machine was primed to accept voice commands it would be unlikely the user would not be in the room to hear the file with malicious instructions being played.

The firm also said that voice commands could not be used for privileged functions such as creating a new user or formatting a drive.

"There are also additional barriers that would make an attack difficult including speaker and microphone placement, microphone feedback, and the clarity of the dictation," wrote the Microsoft researcher.

While speech recognition was a feature of Windows XP, in Vista the use has been widened.

"While we are taking the reports seriously and investigating them accordingly I am confident in saying that there is little if any need to worry about the effects of this issue on your new Windows Vista installation," said the researcher.

hardly a good start

 

[1066gull]

Finally I can stop using "My dog ate my homework'

 

[dylan_bha]

Well I wouldn't really say that was a threat, if anyone non techie was seriously worried about it all they would need to do is use a non admin user account (best practice anyway!) and then there could be no way that the files could be deleted.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Cue MYOB anti-Microsoft rant...

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Scenario

Operator: "PC"
PC: "Yes master"
Operator: "Format C-drive"
PC: "Are you sure?"
Operator: "Damn f***ing right I am!"

Ooh-er .....

 

[adrian29uk]

I dont buy in to this Vista. I cannot see why any one would want it.

Yeah the eye candy is nice in Vista, but you can better effects in Ubuntu Linux.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD7QraljRfM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hfkZNpD-7o&mode=related&search=

I know its a bastard to configure, and it might not work.

But you got to admit its miles better than anything Vista is offering and secondly its free.

Many schools in the UK are looking in to Open Source, hell they only need include it in the curriculum, and it wont cost them a penny.

 

[Uncle C]

I know its a bastard to configure, and it might not work.

Well thats a pretty convincing argument. Lets all fill our boots

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I dont buy in to this Vista. I cannot see why any one would want it.

I suspect it will be running on 95 per cent of work computers by the end of the year. People will be familiar with it. They'll want it at home.

It's how the Bill Gates monopoly works.

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

Finally I can stop using "My dog ate my homework'

Didn't realise special schools gave out homework?

 

[Mr deez]

I suspect it will be running on 95 per cent of work computers by the end of the year. People will be familiar with it. They'll want it at home.

It's how the Bill Gates monopoly works.

By the end of the year? no chance.

No-one will buy it as a stand alone bit of software, therefore it will only get popular as folks by new computers.

Plus it'll be yeeaars before it becomes standard in the workplace. Many many major companies have barely got to XP yet.

 

[Virgo's Haircut]

I think the only way I'll get Vista is if I buy a new PC.

£149.99 for the Home Premium Upgrade is a complete rip off, compared to about $160 in the US, which is almost half price.

XP does a good job for my needs, so why change?

 

[7:18]

I think the only way I'll get Vista is if I buy a new PC.

£149.99 for the Home Premium Upgrade is a complete rip off, compared to about $160 in the US, which is almost half price.

XP does a good job for my needs, so why change?

ditto

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

You can get the OEM version of Home Premium for £70 if you look around online.

 

[¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>]

Plus it'll be yeeaars before it becomes standard in the workplace. Many many major companies have barely got to XP yet.

exactly. 70% of the computers at my firm (major high street bank, shall remain nameless) are still running NT4

 

[Virgo's Haircut]

You can get the OEM version of Home Premium for £70 if you look around online.

Am I allowed to buy it on it's own though? I'm a little confused as to how OEM rules work.

 

[clippedgull]

Am I allowed to buy it on it's own though? I'm a little confused as to how OEM rules work.

Yes you can.

 

[Beach Hut]

It's how the Bill Gates monopoly works.

Jealous are we ?

Still I commend gates as he puts the majority of money back into good causes.

Mind you not much else to do with it when you are that rich.

Actually think I'll mail him and ask if he'll buy BHAFC.

 

[Virgo's Haircut]

Yes you can.

Ok, so what's the difference then? Apart from it not being in a box.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

XP does a good job for my needs, so why change?

That's what Connex said when they specified Windows 95 for the systems installed on their new trains.



When Microsoft implement the decision no longer to support XP, the big companies will fall into line and everyone will follow.

I used to drive a MkI Cortina. It did a good job for my needs.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Ok, so what's the difference then? Apart from it not being in a box.

With Vista there is no difference, all you are not getting is a box or the manuals.