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Windows 10 debuts Blue QR Code of Death – and why malware will love it (BSOD gets an Update)
The Register ^ | Apr 12, 2016 | Chris Williams

Posted on 04/11/2016 8:42:46 PM PDT by dayglored

Microsoft has added a QR code to its infamous Blue Screen of Death in Windows 10.

As of Windows 10 Insider Preview build 14316, when the operating system falls over, you get not only the sad ASCII smiley but also a QR square that contains an encoded URL that leads you to a webpage about your problem. Scan it with a smartphone or other handheld and your browser will be taken to the embedded web addresses.

Right now, it just points to windows.com/stopcode, which explains typical Blue-Screen-of-Death causes, but in future it could contain detailed information about the crash – or something a little more user-friendly than something like MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION.

The QR code feature isn't mentioned in build 14316's release notes, although it hasn't escaped people's attention. The version was emitted last week to testers.

Here's what the QR Code of Death looks like:

Neat idea, huh. Except we can imagine the fun malware will have with this. Fake a system crash by popping up a blue screen, show a QR code that links to a malicious website, and fool someone into opening it on their browser. From there you can offer crap PC repair software (your machine just "crashed", after all), pretend to be Microsoft offering updates to fix your PC, and so on.

We'll wait to see where Redmond's engineers take this.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: bsod; qrcode; windows; windows10; windowspinglist
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To: MarchonDC09122009
Another useful addition to Win 10 is Classic Shell, at http://www.classicshell.net/. It permits the new Win 10 user to be immediately productive, by providing a familiar interface.
21 posted on 04/12/2016 12:56:10 AM PDT by TChad
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To: Valk Rider

bfl


22 posted on 04/12/2016 1:49:19 AM PDT by sjm_888
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To: sjm_888

smb


23 posted on 04/12/2016 2:43:47 AM PDT by Valk Rider
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To: dayglored

Bkmk


24 posted on 04/12/2016 3:12:47 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt ( British historian Arnold Toynbee - Civilisations die from suicide, not by murder.)
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To: Valk Rider

ping


25 posted on 04/12/2016 3:52:44 AM PDT by Cyclone59 (Where are we going, and what's with the handbasket?)
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To: Bob434
does any guru know if it’s possible to run windows 10 as main os BUT not allow it access to itnernet, and run linux under a virtual machine and only allow linux to access Internet? If so, how coudl i be sure Windows wasn’;t gaining access to hte net too?

You'd have to do it the other way. Linux as the host with a VM of windows to accomplish what you want.

26 posted on 04/12/2016 7:37:20 AM PDT by zeugma (Vote Cruz!)
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BFL


27 posted on 04/12/2016 7:38:09 AM PDT by zeugma (Vote Cruz!)
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To: dayglored
Fake a system crash by popping up a blue screen, show a QR code that links to a malicious website, and fool someone into opening it on their browser. From there you can offer crap PC repair software (your machine just "crashed", after all), pretend to be Microsoft offering updates to fix your PC, and so on. We'll wait to see where Redmond's engineers take this.

I suspect Redmond engineers are dealing with this possibility ... might be why the 'solution' isn't out yet.

Will we get shut down ans self start in the event of a major cyber attack? That's got to be next.

28 posted on 04/12/2016 7:47:49 AM PDT by GOPJ ("Should a Jewish baker be forced to bake a cake for a Nazi wedding?" John Stossel)
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To: dayglored
Fake a system crash by popping up a blue screen, show a QR code that links to a malicious website, and fool someone into opening it on their browser. From there you can offer crap PC repair software (your machine just "crashed", after all), pretend to be Microsoft offering updates to fix your PC, and so on. We'll wait to see where Redmond's engineers take this.

I suspect Redmond engineers are dealing with this possibility ... might be why the 'solution' isn't out yet.

Will we get shut down and self-start in the event of a major cyber attack? That's got to be next. The shut down would STOP American computers from assisting with the attack.

29 posted on 04/12/2016 7:48:49 AM PDT by GOPJ ("Should a Jewish baker be forced to bake a cake for a Nazi wedding?" John Stossel)
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To: zeugma

Yeah i thought so- but the reason for wanting windows as main os is because photoshop doesn’t run well in virtual machine- I rely on photoshop for my photography— and need it to run full steam under windows- VM just doesn’t cut it for photoshop unfortunately- I also do not wish to switch to gimp as i have way too many custom photoshop actions and programs tied into photo shop to make a switch


30 posted on 04/12/2016 9:06:27 AM PDT by Bob434
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To: dayglored

Read the code with your cell phone and now your phone is infected.


31 posted on 04/12/2016 2:10:16 PM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: MarchonDC09122009
Reviews of Anti-Beacon and O&O Shut Up 10:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/worried-that-windows-10-is-spying-on-you-here-how-to-take-back-control/

Both programs require tweaking, and both can cause problems. Watch out for high CPU usage from Anti-Beacon.

32 posted on 04/12/2016 7:18:44 PM PDT by TChad
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