| Can it really be possible? Windows Vista, the | | | | speech recognition by going to the speech |
| newly released operating of Microsoft, is | | | | recognition options and unchecking "run speech |
| vulnerable to hacking? Yes, you heard it right. It is | | | | recognition at startup." While there, a user can |
| possible, according to Microsoft itself. Well, it | | | | also disable the default speech profile for the |
| appears that an audio podcast has the capability | | | | system. This is to avoid the risk of outside voices |
| of hacking Windows Vista's speech recognition | | | | and noise being recognized as valid for input |
| feature. By using recorded audio commands, | | | | instead of the user's own voice. |
| hackers can run malicious programs. | | | | The recent launching of Microsoft Vista is the |
| Based on an initial investigation conducted by | | | | biggest ever in the history of Microsoft. It was |
| Microsoft, Vista's speech recognition feature can | | | | the grandest launch because of the introduction of |
| allow an attacker to execute commands verbally | | | | both a new Windows and Office operating |
| on a user's computer. The commands, however, | | | | system. It came five years after Windows XP |
| are limited to the rights of a certain logged on | | | | was introduced. This early, Microsoft officials |
| user. Any commands on the administrative level | | | | foresee that Vista will be accepted by people |
| will be barred by the User Account Control. | | | | faster compared to other Windows operating |
| Microsoft explains that the hacking can done when | | | | systems. For the first two years, the firm |
| the user has a microphone and speakers | | | | expects to sell approximately 200 million copies to |
| connected to his or her computer with the | | | | businesses and consumers around the world. Vista |
| speech recognition feature configured. Once these | | | | features unique graphics including 3-D icons and |
| exist, the audio file of an attacker could issue | | | | folders with the so-called transparent glass |
| verbal commands through the system's speakers | | | | effects. The launch of this new upgrade, originally |
| which could be executed by the speech | | | | named Longhorn, had been postponed several |
| recognition feature. With this flaw, it is possible for | | | | times as Microsoft took extra efforts to make |
| a podcast or any other audio file for that matter | | | | sure that Vista will be fully secured from more |
| to delete documents of a Vista user and empty | | | | complex and high-tech Internet attacks. |
| the trash. Users are advised to disable speech | | | | Microsoft Vista comes in four versions with |
| recognition within Vista. | | | | advanced interface and security tools. To be able |
| Microsoft assures its customers that it is | | | | to run the system, you will need a minimum of an |
| continuously looking into the issue and will provide | | | | 800MHz processor, 512 RAM and a hard disk with |
| more guidance to protect them. To avoid this | | | | a 15GB capacity. The firm also guaranteed that |
| attack, Vista users are advised to take several | | | | Vista will benefit gamers and game developers |
| steps. First is to turn off their computer speakers | | | | apart from businesses and regular consumers. |
| and microphone. The next thing to do is to close | | | | Podcastblaster is a site specializing in all aspect of |
| the Windows Media Player, turn off the speech | | | | podcasting and provides an extensive podcast |
| recognition feature and restart the computer if | | | | directory covering many topics including |
| the user runs an audio file that tries to execute | | | | technology podcasts. |
| commands on their system. A user can disable | | | | |