It was announced today that a major security vulnerability has been discovered in windows. The vulnerability allows unauthorised access to areas protected by windows and can be exploited by using a range of common tools including hammers, bricks or even rocks.
The manufacturers of windows have attempted to downplay the risks posed by this vulnerabilities, however security experts disagree. “Kiddies have been known to exploit these vulnerabilities using items such as baseballs”, said Brian McGee of BugScreenTraq. “Although these kiddies may claim that they intend no harm, and are merely ‘playing’, the fact remains that once the window has been compromised, other people may take advantage of it to access unauthorised areas” he concluded.
Window manufacturers have defended the faults in their product. “User feedback has told us that our customers prefer the ventilation and light transmitting qualities of our products, and that security is a secondary concern” claimed Mandy Finklestein for the Window Manufacturer’s Association. She did admit that “Window manufacturers had been aware of the vulnerabilities for some time and have, in fact, made available a range of add-ons such as ‘bars for windows’ and ‘shutters for windows'” and it was not their fault if “users failed to asses their own security needs and apply the appropriate patches.”
Finklestein added that the rise in popularity of so called ‘open’ solutions did not necessarily solve the problems as “with an open window, you don’t even need to break the glass – there is simply nothing there. I think that this is an ’emperors’ new clothes’ type of thing “.