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Microsoft Adds Risky System-Wide Undelete to Vista

douder writes "Windows Vista will have a new 'previous versions' feature when it ships next year. According to Ars Technica, the feature is built off of the volume shadow copy technology from Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Now turned on by default, the service stores the modified versions of a user's documents, even after they are deleted. They also report that you can browse folders from within Explorer to see snapshots of what they contained over time. It can be disabled, but this seems like a privacy concern." From the article: "Some users will find the feature objectionable because it could give the bossman a new way to check up on employees, or perhaps it could be exploited in some nefarious way by some nefarious person. Previous versions of Windows were still susceptible to undelete utilities, of course, but this new functionality makes browsing quite, quite simple. On the other hand, it should be noted that 'Previous Versions' does not store its data in the files themselves. That is, unlike Microsoft Office's 'track changes,' files protected with 'Previous Versions' will not carry their documentary history with them."

5 of 365 comments (clear)

  1. reason number 452 by Rooked_One · · Score: 0, Troll

    not to switch from XP.... Um.. Thanks M$ for letting me save some cash.... I guess

  2. M. Gibson by CardboardBox · · Score: 0, Troll

    No i'm not talking about Mel Gibson and his anti-Jew story.

    I'm talking about Steve Gibson (http://www.grc.com) everyone know's the security maniac and amazingly intellegent man is going to beg Microsoft to take this out, watch for Security Now later this week or next.

    Remember what he did with Windows XP and Raw-Sockets, he went on TechTV's TechLive show and asked Microsoft to remove the feature.

    This is a security risk for the unaware computer users of this world who will buy "Vista Capable" machines from the Big-Box stores (Best Buy...) Think about it? An exploit is uncovered that gives access to remote computers running Vista, and the intruder or cracker or script kiddie, undeletes some confidential files, you all know where that could go, then bam! Lawsuit anyone.

    All this feature is, is System Restore on steroids or System Restore 2.0 and it's a security risk, I hope Steve pushes Microsft Corporation to do the right thing, this time they should listen.

    --
    "Go suck your head." - Edward Runey
  3. OS problems by ludomancer · · Score: 0, Troll

    Isn't Vista itself a privacy concern of most people? Shouldn't it be?

  4. Simple solution.... by 1053r · · Score: 0, Troll

    If you're concerned about privacy:
    THAN DON'T USE *&#^ING WINDOWS VISTA!

  5. Re:i dont get it... by lxs · · Score: 0, Troll

    Um, your work computer is the property of your employer. If you want to do something that would get you in trouble with your boss - put it on your own computer.

    Sure and the toilet at work is also a property of your employer. If you don't want to be filmed while using it, cross your legs until you're home.