A recent article in IT World has described a Windows flaw that can be used by malicious hackers to install software exploits by using a vulnerability in the Help function of Internet Explorer on a Windows XP machine. Evidently the exploit works when criminal cybergangs gain access to a web site server and install code that causes a popup window to appear advising site visitors to press “F1” for help. The help they get is a silent download posing as a help document.
The current solution is for uses to be aware, and to not press the F1 key while in Internet Explorer. I am sure a more permanent solution is in the works coming to you soon as a Windows Update. Be careful out there.
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About the Author:
I am a cybersecurity and IT instructor, cybersecurity analyst, pen-tester, trainer, and speaker. I am an owner of the WyzCo Group Inc. In addition to consulting on security products and services, I also conduct security audits, compliance audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. I also teach Cybersecurity Awareness Training classes. I work as an information technology and cybersecurity instructor for several training and certification organizations. I have worked in corporate, military, government, and workforce development training environments I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Minnesota Bloggers Conference, Secure360 Security Conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, the (ISC)2 World Congress 2016, and the ISSA International Conference 2017, and many local community organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, and several school districts. I have been blogging on cybersecurity since 2006 at http://wyzguyscybersecurity.com