Microsoft to XP Users: 'Don't Press F1'

.If you're still using Windows XP, Microsoft has a piece of security advice for you: don't hit F1.
http://www.switched.com/2010/03/02/microsoft-to-xp-users-dont-press-f1/
A recently discovered vulnerability is disrupting how Windows XP handles VBScripts that are used to load Help files. Hackers could disguise malicious code as a Windows Help file (with the extension ".hlp"), and then launch a pop-up window prompting users to press F1 for help. Pressing F1 would in fact load the malicious file, and execute the code, thus infecting a PC. Fortunately, the vulnerability does require user interaction, so those who refrain from using Help (or who turn it off entirely) will remain safe. Details for how to turn off Help can be found here.

The vulnerability applies to IE6, IE7, and IE8 on Windows XP. Vista and Windows 7 users, meanwhile, are unaffected.

 

computers suck.

 

microsoft sucks.

thx for the post. 'crisscross apple sauce' is really cool btw

 

my friend had xp and it crashed, I tried to boot with f1 then it really crashed lol..
dont know if its related, just made me wonder when I saw this thought..

 

Good job I never need any help.

 

haha I heard about some local libraries having this issue.
Would never happen with a Linux.

 

does this apply if you're using firefox??
luckily i never use internet explorer.
and thanks for letting us know too.

 

I'd say this was an issue with Windows itself and not any internet browser. *hits F1 to see if a help file comes up* ........ wow - I didn't know that was there.

 

No. If you're using Firefox (or Opera, Safari, Chrome, etc) you're safe!

 

that's made me feel a little better, thank you.

 

If linux ever became as popular as windows then it will be targeted all the same by nasty coders and hackers. In some ways i think it came be even more unsafer then windows.

 

but its constantly being updated and improved FOR FREE. If you have Ubuntu you'll notice you always get little updates about "kernals". from what I've read this makes it virtually impossible to get a virus because any vulnerabilities in the systrm are corrected by Ubuntu users.

 

Cool! How do I go about getting Linux?

 

Linux is awsome no doubt, but the aspect that makes it great is also what makes it vulnerable. Its to easily changed, as stated before its simply not popular enough to be targeted by hackers on a mass scale. There are viruses for it out there just not many.

 

I wanta be the 1st on my block to get a linux virus.



by the way, I just tried hitting "F1" for the first time. Cool. I get taken to the Firefox help page, where I can find out things, like how to "clear the cache".

Thing is, I already know how to "clear the cache". I just leave my wallet out, and the wife does it for me,,

 

Hitting the F1 key will bring up the help page/feature in any program written to conform to the GUI specs for MS Windows. Same with all the common keystrokes such as cut/paste.