A security consultant based in New Zealand has released a tool that can unlock Windows computers in seconds without the need for a password.
Adam Boileau first demonstrated the hack, which affects Windows XP computers but has not yet been tested with Windows Vista, at a security conference in Sydney in 2006, but Microsoft has yet to develop a fix.
To use the tool, hackers must connect a Linux-based computer to a Firewire port on the target machine. The machine is then tricked into allowing the attacking computer to have read and write access to its memory.
With full access to the memory, the tool can then modify Windows' password protection code, which is stored there, and render it ineffective.
Older desktop computers do not come equipped with Firewire ports, which are needed for the hack to work, but many recent models do. Most laptops made in the last few years include Firewire ports.
I don't know about that. I am using a P3 compaq that is pretty old (at least eight years), and it's got a firewire port.
Microsoft was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Big surprise!! LMAO
Full StoryWhy the hell do the stupid still use Micro$oft? Let me tell you about something called computing bliss. I have been using linux (Slackware 12) for about a year now and not once have I picked up a virus or any spyware. You would think that I must have found the ultimate anti-virus software, right? Wrong. I don't run any AV. Oh, well you must have installed a really good firewall? Nope. I only run the one in the router. No software, memory eating firewall at all. Speaking of memory, I have never seen this computer use all the 384 MB of memory. It's sitting @ 45% used right now. That's about 180 MB (right click on the toolbar and bring up the task mgr. Go to the performance tab and see how much your windows machine is using right now). Oh, well you must not have any programs running? No again. I got Firefox (browser), Thunderbird (email client), gFTP (ftp browser), Pidgin (instant messenger that is running yahoo, aol, msn, icq, and myspace im at the same time) main window, and a chat window open.
So once again. Why do you stupid motherfuckers use windows?
That is my rant for the day. LOL