Windows ‘error’ Could Leave Drives Open to Hackers

I am not a big fan of the “H” word (Hackers), but I do think that security exploits and flaws in the Windows operating systems should be mentioned in as many places as possible, so that the average joe hears about the problems, and either is given steps to fix them, or is taken to a place where they can get a patch.

It looks like a laptop’s wireless connection, plus Windows can equal an open door to your hard drive if you are not careful. Details from Techworld.com.

A bug in the way Windows manages wireless network connections means that people using their laptops in public places are frequently giving anyone in the area the means to invade their systems,

When a laptop has been connected to an ad-hoc network it can later begin advertising that ad-hoc network’s SSID identifier without the user’s knowledge, giving those nearby the opportunity to carry out an attack, according to Loveless.

He called the bug a “configuration error” rather than a security vulnerability, but gave it a severity rating of “High (albeit lame)”.

“In theory all kinds of information could be siphoned off, but that depends on either a secondary vulnerability (such as MS05-039 patch not being applied), a lack of a personal firewall, or open shares.

So before you go on a trip using your laptop, get all your Windows updates.

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