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Microsoft Kills AutoRun In Windows

Posted by samzenpus on from the so-long-farewell-aufedersein-goodbys dept.

aesoteric writes "Microsoft has finally decided to push out an update to disable AutoRun in its XP operating system, a Windows feature that had been increasingly exploited by virus writers over the years. But because Microsoft still sees AutoRun as a feature and not a security hole, it isn't calling its Windows Update a "security update" but rather an "Important, non-security update" — but it effectively disables the AutoRun feature anyway."

4 of 340 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Option? by BradleyUffner · · Score: 5, Informative

    Would be nice to have the option to enable/disable the feature..

    It has been an option for as long as I can remember. It used to be one of the first things I turned off after a new install, right after I turned on the display of File Extensions.

  2. Knowledge Base references by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is an update to KB967940, regarding the patch offered in KB971029 going to automatic updates.

    I had to look up the numbers, so I thought I'd just share, and save anyone else the trouble.

    1. Re:Knowledge Base references by initialE · · Score: 5, Informative

      Hate to reply to myself, but this http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2011/02/08/breaking-up-the-romance-between-malware-and-autorun.aspx needs a read too. It plots the relationship between autorun and malware. Interesting how Microsoft still considers this a "non-security related update", as autorun has been an easy vector with which to poison your windows installation. Important to note that autorun will still work as expected on CD and DVD media, meaning Sony Rootkits are still going to be installed on your computer.

      --
      Starbucks, Harbuckle of Breath.
  3. Re:not the same thing this is just takeing away a by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Whoosh.