nanog mailing list archives
Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings
From: "Brian Bruns" <bruns () 2mbit com>
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 08:44:04 -0400
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Brenton" <cbrenton () chrisbrenton org> To: <nanog () merit edu> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 8:31 AM Subject: Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings
Is this "mechanism" an SSL connection? HTTP in the clear? AIM? Is it exploitable? I think the intention is admirable, but it has the potential to be a real nightmare if implemented incorrectly. The fact that it can all happen without the knowledge of the end user means even a savvy users could get whacked if the underlying structure is insecure.
AOL has a new function as of 8.0 IIRC that allows them to do repairs and make changes to a users computer using the AOL Computer Checkup (I forget if thats what its actually called, or something like that). Users can use it to fix DUN errors, IE errors, GPF errors, etc. It appears to be an ActiveX control in IE and is probably being used to do this change to the messenger service. I haven't had time to sit there with a packet sniffer to see what it does or how it works exactly. -------------------------- Brian Bruns The Summit Open Source Development Group Open Solutions For A Closed World / Anti-Spam Resources http://www.sosdg.org ICQ: 8077511
Current thread:
- AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Sean Donelan (Oct 23)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Jared Mauch (Oct 23)
- RE: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Terry Baranski (Oct 23)
- RE: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Brian Wallingford (Oct 23)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Chris Brenton (Oct 24)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Brian Bruns (Oct 24)
- RE: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Terry Baranski (Oct 23)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Michael Loftis (Oct 23)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Christopher L. Morrow (Oct 23)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings chuck goolsbee (Oct 23)
- RE: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Brian Knoblauch (Oct 24)
- Message not available
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Fred Baker (Oct 28)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Sean Donelan (Oct 28)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Henry Linneweh (Oct 28)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Daniel Golding (Oct 30)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Fred Baker (Oct 28)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Jared Mauch (Oct 23)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Stewart, William C (Bill), RTSLS (Oct 24)
- Re: AOL fixing Microsoft default settings Sean Donelan (Oct 24)