[ news_security_news ]
Could Microsoft Help Spread RSS Viruses?
Andy Beal
Contributing Writer
2006-09-21
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
I hadn't given this topic any thought, but eWeek's Jim Rapozas asks whether RSS could become a new platform for spreading viruses and trojans.
Link: eWeek's Jim Rapozas
His reasoning comes from Microsoft's plans to a integrate RSS support with IE7 and the new operating system, Vista.
While some might suggest we have nothing to worry about and Rapozas is simply looking to spread some FUD, it certainly could happen. When you consider that IE and Windows are constanly the focus of virus and trojan attacks - due to them being so widely used - Microsoft's adoption of RSS could give cause to make it a focus for attack.
One of the ways RSS could be utilized to spread malicious content is via the RSS enclosure tag.
There really isn't anything stopping someone from delivering malware such as viruses or spyware through an RSS feed enclosure tag. Some will say that this is unlikely to happen, as people will know from the feed where the content is originating. But recent experiences with malware delivered through Web sites show that getting bad content onto legitimate sites isn't a problem for the bad guys.
Perhaps someone that knows more about the RSS standard than me, can chime in and give their thoughts on whether this kind of stuff could happen.
Tag: RSS
Get all the updates in RSS: 
About the Author:
Andy Beal is an internet marketing consultant and considered one of the world's most respected and interactive search engine marketing experts. Andy has worked with many Fortune 1000 companies such as Motorola, CitiFinancial, Lowes, Alaska Air, DeWALT, NBC and Experian.
You can read his internet marketing blog at Marketing Pilgrim and reach him at andy.beal@gmail.com.
More news_security_news Articles
Insider Reports RSS Feed
|
|
iEntry 10th Anniversary
RSS
Archive
