Sneaky Microsoft plug-in puts Firefox users at risk

Full CompuerWorld Article

Today kids, we ask: "How low can Microsoft go?" Just as you think Microsoft couldn't sink to a lower level, this comes up. Maybe if Microsoft started building decent browsers, maybe people could rely on them. - After this however, who would?

Interesting timing. Not 5 minutes ago Firefox alerted me to this, but said it had been blocked. Recommended a re-start to be safe.

*MS Framework assistant .net 1.1
*Windows Presentation foundation

S&F




[edit on 17-10-2009 by LadySkadi]

reply to post by LadySkadi

---

Same thing for me, about the same time period. Said the plug in would make firefox unstable.

Wow.. I've seen these popups on 3 different computers these last couple days. Right after critical patch Tuesday...

MS Framework assistant .net 1.1
And
Windows Presentation foundation?

Same here just yesterday. I went to the Tools/Add-ons and uninstalled it immediately(microsoft.net framework) I suggest everyone do the same...

Well, I have to take my hat's off to the FF programmers who alerted me to this problem the second I opened my browser....

Unbelievable that we had to find out about it as potential victims.. after the fact.

I suppose MS has no interest in keeping the net safe for non-IE users

i got the same message also earlier. I shrug it off. means nothing to me. not worried about it. It is unacceptable behavior for a company to do, but what do you want, they feel like they rule the computer world.

i have manually verified that i did not receive this update through the system for win7.

damn I quit using IE and norton bc of "issues" and now firefox.

I do have to say I feel vindicated though, I had an attack a few months ago and had to call norton. I had about a month left on the protection and the person told me that I would have to pay $90 for them to remote access my system and remove the files. The program itself costs $90!!!!!! I never download anything, I have no file sharing, the only thing my system is allowed to accept (with permission even) are updates from norton and windows. So, I suggested that it was attached to one of their downloads and that I would not be renewing the program. It would appear I may not have been far off.

---

---

I had these Add ons as well I disabled them quick smart

So that is what that was eh?

I got that pop up too, I thought about hitting the cancel button, heck, how could anything from Microsoft be bad?



[edit on 17-10-2009 by Walkswithfish]

This is exactly why I have my firewall set to block any and all windows update traffic. No updates are installed without my explicit permission, seems a lot safer to me than just randomly allowing security loopholes to be "updated" into the code.

Excellent find. Once again fellow ATS members protect the IT community by informing each other and others of potential attacks against computer owners.
Bill Gates has no shame.

Thats what mine did, did Firefox take care of for me?

Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant is now on Mozilla's blocked add-on list.

www.mozilla.com...

Glad I ditched Windows 9 years ago.

Same thing for me as well. When I saw it, I was like, wtf?

Just to be on the safe side I checked my firefox but whatever Microsoft did it didn't inflitrate macs.

Firefox isolated it and just to be sure I went to "tools" "add-ons" and made sure it was blocked (or deleted) and than restart the computer - hope that took care of the problem. I do NOT see the .net installed on the 'puter so I'm guessing it worked.

[edit on 17-10-2009 by LadySkadi]