Windows 7 retains Windows Explorer security risk

From InformationWeek (Thomas Claburn)
Windows 7 RC is now available, but Microsoft’s new operating system could use a bit more tinkering to improve security.
Specifically, Windows Explorer provides a way to hide a file’s extension. Virus writers use this feature to disguise executable files as something more innocuous, such as text files, F-Secure’s Mikko Hypponen explains in a blog post [f-secure.com]. By also changing the appearance of a malicious executable’s icon, malware authors have a much easier time convincing users to run malicious software using social engineering techniques. Read the full story [informationweek.com]

From InformationWeek (Thomas Claburn)

Windows 7 RC is now available, but Microsoft’s new operating system could use a bit more tinkering to improve security.

Specifically, Windows Explorer provides a way to hide a file’s extension. Virus writers use this feature to disguise executable files as something more innocuous, such as text files, F-Secure’s Mikko Hypponen explains in a blog post [f-secure.com]. By also changing the appearance of a malicious executable’s icon, malware authors have a much easier time convincing users to run malicious software using social engineering techniques. Read the full story [informationweek.com]

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