Read more at:Rather than fix vulnerabilities with Gadgets and the Sidebar in Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft is advising users to disable the features altogether.
Gadgets and Sidebar allow users to add visual information and small programs to the Windows desktop, including clock faces, music players and RSS feed readers.
Now, Microsoft has issued a Fix It solution to disable Gadgets and the Sidebar. These features, if left enabled, may allow the execution of arbitrary code, and could allow attackers to take complete control of a person’s system, Microsoft warns in a Knowledge Base article.
Microsoft Urges Users to Shut Down Windows Gadgets or Risk Attack | PCWorld
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Microsoft Urges Users to Shut Down Windows Gadgets or Risk Attack
- 11 Jul 2012 #1
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Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,529 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 04:36 AM
My System SpecsMicrosoft Urges Users to Shut Down Windows Gadgets or Risk Attack
- 12 Jul 2012 #2My System Specs
Re: Microsoft Urges Users to Shut Down Windows Gadgets or Risk Attack
You're vulnerable even if the sidebar/gadgets are not opened and running?
- 16 Jul 2012 #3My System Specs
Re: Microsoft Urges Users to Shut Down Windows Gadgets or Risk Attack
Microsoft Security Advisory 2719662 says in part, "Disabling the Windows Sidebar and Gadgets can help protect customers from vulnerabilities that involve the execution of arbitrary code by the Windows Sidebar when running insecure Gadgets. In addition, Gadgets installed from untrusted sources can harm your computer and can access your computer's files, show you objectionable content, or change their behavior at any time." I understand that to say that gadgets installed from third party sources could cause a problem.
But I am only using the gadgets that came from Microsoft - the ones that came with Vista Home Premium. I'm currently using the clock, calendar, and post-it notes. I haven't installed any other gadgets. Am I correct in understanding that the gadgets from Microsoft are safe?
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