Exploit Found to Brick Most HP and Compaq Laptops 294
Ian Lamont writes "A security researcher calling himself porkythepig has published attack code that can supposedly brick most HP and Compaq laptops. The exploit uses an ActiveX control in HP's Software Update. It would 'let an attacker corrupt Windows' kernel files, making the laptop unbootable, or with a little more effort, allow hacks that would result in a PC hijack or malware infection.' The same researcher last week outlined a batch of additional vulnerabilities in HP and Compaq laptops, for which HP later issued patches."
According to my sources... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:!BRICK FFS (Score:5, Funny)
If it did, then Windows would be considered self-bricking.
Bricked? (Score:5, Funny)
porkythepig (Score:4, Funny)
Re:!BRICK FFS (Score:4, Funny)
Re:!BRICK FFS (Score:2, Funny)
"...a 'brick' is typically a rectangular piece of clay or similar material hardened in a furnace and used to construct buildings and other structures, and usually has no functionality beyond this"
Close. Don't forget that a half brick in a sock makes a very effective weapon to use against, oh, let's say Slashdot editors who don't know the meaning of "brick".
In that respect, a truly "bricked" laptop is probably even less useful than a real brick. Too big to fit in most socks...
Re:According to my sources... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:!BRICK FFS (Score:4, Funny)
In that respect, a truly "bricked" laptop is probably even less useful than a real brick. Too big to fit in most socks...
Re:!BRICK FFS (Score:5, Funny)
I beg to differ. I've seen bricks used as paperweights, doorstops, melee weapons, missiles, jackstands, stepping stools, water-saving devices, exercise equipment, depth probes, counterweights, tourist attractions, ballast, keyless entry devices, cookware, heating elements, hammers...
I will not have you slandering the name of the noble and versatile brick!
Re:Deal with it (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:5, Funny)
Waitaminute... (Score:5, Funny)
YES, it is 'bricked.' Totally and utterly useless, yes. You'll need to buy a brand new one. Seeing as I'm a nice guy, I'll buy this completely bricked, utterly useless laptop from you. Just for the case and spare parts, you see. Does $100 sound reasonable for a bricked, totally useless laptop that you can never use again? Hmmm?
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:2, Funny)
Fixed.
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:2, Funny)
Mine came that way from the factory. I always thought that was the default Windows configuration
In other news, it has been discovered that fire is hot
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:5, Funny)
Block all Active-X controls,
No Javashitting in my browser,
Lame-ass spammers, lick my hole,
HEY! CRACKERS!, face the fire-wall!
> All in all, it was just a brick in the wall. (Guitar solo singing Fixed-it-for-you)
All in all, a pack-et, blocked by my fire-wall.
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:4, Funny)
"Will your company brick all our desktops?"
"WTF are you talking about?"
After it got straightened out, he insisted that this was mainframe speak. I've never heard the term used that way again, though.
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:3, Funny)
Did anybody notice? (Score:1, Funny)
Re:A theory... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:!BRICK FFS (Score:3, Funny)
Which may explain the Vista designers' fondness for the "brick wall" metaphor when choosing icons that represent security features. They tend to use a shield for small icons that go in your system tray, and a brick wall for control panel applet icons.
Re:According to my sources... (Score:2, Funny)
Imagine a beowolf clu...
Damn. I swore I'd never do that.Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Two points about the article's headline. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Laptops ONLY (Score:3, Funny)
Also, Tablet PCs with corrupt Windows installations will henceforth be referred to as "paving stones".