Bucks businesses investing in Microsoft's new Windows XP Service Pack 2 are warned that it is said to be powerless in preventing virus attacks on computers running the system.

One user has described its security flaws as a "crater" and Microsoft has, apparently, admitted it cannot guarantee protection against attacks, the latest of which is poised to hit UK bank account holders at any time.

Stuart Okin, Microsoft's security adviser was reported to have said: "There will be vulnerabilities in the software. There is no doubt about that. No operating system can be totally secure."

Meanwhile, Sophos, the security software gurus, are warning UK computer users of a new "Trojan horse" virus designed "to pick user's bank accounts clean." The virus is claimed to target users of a number of online banks including Abbey, Barclays, Cahoot, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, NatWest, Nationwide and Woolwich.

Virus experts say the latest version is Tofger-BG which runs in the background of affected PCs and monitors which websites are being visited. If it recognises an online banking one, it secretly captures key information and then passes it onto hackers. They can then use the captured information to break into bank accounts and steal money.

(c)Andrew Leech
andy@buckshouse1.demon.co.uk
Bucks House Publishing

Note from the editor of Bucks4biz.co.uk

It is not entirely fair to put all the blame on Microsoft. The user also has to take some reponsibility for the running of their own systems such as PCs. Let us draw an anology here. When you buy a car the manufacturer will provide you with a product that is fit for the job. Occasionally there will be recalls and parts that need changing. The driver is responsible for checking tyre wear, servicing and safe driving. The same goes for PCs. Microsoft provide many patches and bug fixes to keep their software safe. The user also has some responsibilities here such as using a firewall, antivirus software and keeping the patches upto date. If you do not have the time to do this then get a support contract and then someone else will do it for you.

Let us put it another way. You would not go down the M1 at 130 miles an hour with bald tyres. Well you could - but you would be risking it on many levels. The same goes with a PC on the internet super highway. You should do the same - and that is take precautions. Your supplier can only help you upto a point. The rest is upto you.

ed.