Microsoft Kills Windows Gadgets Via Security Update

benfrog writes "Microsoft has taken the unusual step of killing the Windows Gadgets feature completely via a security update. According to an advisory issued Tuesday, an attacker could take over a user's system if they are logged in as admin and they install a vulnerable gadget. Microsoft has pulled the plug on its official Gadgets Gallery and is offering a Fix-it that completely disables the Windows Sidebar and Gadgets. Researchers Mickey Shkatov and Toby Kohlenberg are scheduled to give a presentation on the vulnerability at the upcoming Black Hat conference called We Have You By the Gadgets."

Re: The gadget gallery is gone

[PraiseBob]

The gadgets still work, but when I click on the "Get more gadgets online", it brings me to a webpage that says Microsoft doesn't host gadgets anymore because they are too busy making Windows 8.

Instead if gives me the really helpful advice to not download gadgets from untrusted sources. This strikes me as unusual, since I was hoping Microsoft would be a trusted source where I could get safe gadgets. Apparently they aren't interested in doing that.