Security Alert: XP File Deletion Cure Causes Problems

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Last week, ExtremeTech described a serious Windows XP bug which allows a Web page or e-mail message to delete arbitrary files from your PC -- including ones that are necessary for proper operation. (Leo Laporte of TechTV demonstrates the hole.) As we reported at that time, Microsoft did not at first admit to the hole but instead fixed it in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), burying the description of the bug in the list of fixes released with the service pack. (As Microsoft explains here, it does not intend to release a fix that is independent of the service pack.). For more info warp 2 ... ExtremeTech.