Computers using the speech recognition tool built into
Windows
Vista are not at risk from malicious commands played in an audio file.
There have been fears voiced by some forum users that a command to delete a
file played through the computer speakers would be picked up by the microphone
and executed.
A spokesperson for Microsoft said that it would be very unlikely for an
attack of this sort to succeed. The speech recognition in Visat is turned off by
default and the actions would be plainly visible to the user.
Deleting an important file would also prompt a warning on screen with User
Account Control. Warnings of this type cannot be deleted with voice commands and
so the attack would fail.
Martin Held from
Dragon
agreed that there is no realistic threat. For the attack to be successful each
command must be recognised exactly, any mistakes and nothing will happen.
.NET Software Developer, £20,000 - £35,000 depending on experience About us Data Transparency is a small, rapidly growing company established in 2006 by an Oxford graduate. We create bespoke web-based data systems that are used in ... more >
Graduate SQL Developer, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Excellent Salary + Benefits Grass Roots are one of the Sunday Times Top 100 companies to work for (2007 and 2008). Established in 1980, we're part of the Grass Roots ... more >
Portal Systems Administrator, Leeds As part of this crucial team, your responsibilities will include the support and maintenance of the Portal to support both national research programmes and non-research activities. Systems administration will occupy much ... more >
Information Systems and Technologies Joining our highly rated Council, you'll help shape the future of Information Systems and be involved with exciting developments across the Council such as implementing new IT systems, going LIVE with ... more >More job opportunities
Print
Discuss
Send to friend
RSS feeds
Daily news podcast
del.icio.us
Digg this
reddit!
