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Patched MS Bluetooth Flaw Exposes Even Disconnected PCs

Posted by Soulskill on from the you-are-the-one-neo dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Among the 22 security holes Microsoft issued updates to fix yesterday is a critical kernel-level Bluetooth flaw that could let nearby attackers break into vulnerable systems even when the targeted computer is not connected to a network. An attacker could use the bug to gain access to any unpatched, Bluetooth-enabled Windows Vista or Win7 computer within 100 meters (or much further with specialized tools), all before the target system even gets an alert that another computer is requesting a Bluetooth connection."

3 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Confusing by Haedrian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "even when the targeted computer is not connected to a network."
    "target would merely need to have Bluetooth turned on."

    Meh, not as scary as I thought. You shouldn't be running around with bluetooth on anyway. Also, if you're using a 'hidden' connection there's no real way for an attacker to find you is there?

    So basically computers at risk are those who always leave bluetooth on and shown to everyone. Which unless you're trying to connect to a new device should be NEVER.

    1. Re:Confusing by c0lo · · Score: 4, Funny

      You shouldn't be running around with bluetooth on anyway.

      Meh - trying to get to the root of the problem.

      You shouldn't be running around with bluetooth on.
      You shouldn't be running around with bluetooth
      You shouldn't be running around
      You shouldn't be running
      You shouldn't be
      You shouldn't

      YOU! Ah, it is always you at fault.

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
  2. Re:XP by kevinmenzel · · Score: 5, Informative

    Because 7 has features XP doesn't. Like support for the TRIM command for SSDs. Like an audio mixer that lets you set different volumes for each application, instead of each hardware output, which is floating point from the ground up. Like desktop rendering that is accelerated by your GPU. Like UAC. Like Aero Snap. Etc. It's not like Windows 7 is just a facelift on Windows XP, There are differences that aren't even hard to find.