Microsoft Back ports Windows 7 Security Change to XP, Vista

Microsoft has ported updates to its automatic execution and automatic playback of Windows Vista and Windows XP to help users fight malware that spreads through USB devices.

Microsoft made the switch from Windows 7 in early 2009 to stop the spread of Conficker infamous worm that took advantage of the functionality of silence leap from PC to PC. With the change, Windows will no longer display the task of automatic enforcement on the AutoPlay dialog box, save for removable optical media such as CDs and DVDs.

The functionality is made available for XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003 and 2008, on 25 August. Information on how to download updates can be found here.

The decision to make the change followed the well-publicized growth of malware spreading through USB devices over the last couple of years. In fact, a report by Symantec found that the auto-copied to removable media was one of the most common means of spreading malware in the second half of 2007.

"McAfee expects the increasing attacks of USB sticks and flash memory devices used in cameras, frames and other consumer electronics," Dave Marcus, security research manager at McAfee Avert Labs, blogged in January. "This trend will continue because almost unregulated use flashes storage [devices] across enterprise environments, and its popularity among consumers."

Microsoft made the switch from Windows 7 in early 2009 to stop the spread of Conficker infamous worm that took advantage of the functionality of silence leap from PC to PC. With the change, Windows will no longer display the task of automatic enforcement on the AutoPlay dialog box, save for removable optical media such as CDs and DVDs.

The functionality is made available for XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003 and 2008, on 25 August. Information on how to download updates can be found here.

The decision to make the change followed the well-publicized growth of malware spreading through USB devices over the last couple of years. In fact, a report by Symantec found that the auto-copied to removable media was one of the most common means of spreading malware in the second half of 2007.

"McAfee expects the increasing attacks of USB sticks and flash memory devices used in cameras, frames and other consumer electronics," Dave Marcus, security research manager at McAfee Avert Labs, blogged in January. "This trend will continue because almost unregulated use flashes storage [devices] across enterprise environments, and its popularity among consumers."