Hackers are exploiting a strange bug that allows a simple text string to “corrupt” your Windows 10 or Windows XP computer’s hard drive if you extract a ZIP file, Open specific folder, or even click on a Windows shortcut. The hacker adds the text string to a folder location and the moment you open it, bam—hard drive problems.
Or else you can assume when you see one The warning “restart to repair hard drive errors” appears on Windows 10. Your data is likely to be correct, but you will still have to run chkdsk to be sure.
The bug was first discovered and disclosed by a security researcher Jonas L, then Will Doorman the CERT Coordination Center confirmed thatand discoveries. According to Doorman, the flaw is one of many similar problems in Windows 10 that have not been resolved for years. Worse, there are other ways to perform the attack than just opening a folder.
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According tests by Bleeping Computer, it appears that the text string is effective even if a shortcut icon simply point to a location with corrupted text. You also don’t need to click or open the file; just having it visible on your desktop is enough to execute the attack. The text string also works on ZIP files, HTML files and URLs.
Microsoft is investigating the problem, but there is no way to say whether or when a solution may appear. As a company spokesman said The Verge:
“We are aware of this problem and will provide an update in a future version. The use of this technique depends on social engineering and, as always, we encourage our customers to practice good online computing habits, including being careful when opening unknown files or accepting file transfers. “
In the meantime, don’t click on suspicious links or open unknown files. That said, this is an unusual bug that can be exploited in many ways and it is possible for the text string to appear in unexpected places.
You are not completely screwed if the bug corrupts your hard drive, however. You may have to perform an automatic or manual check and repair of the unit, but it is possible that this whole process could create more confusion on your PC than intended. Our advice? Save your files backup just in case you find one awkward situation such that-or for any unintended data loss. You can never be too careful. So, if you absolutely Tue for reinstall Windows from scratch, it won’t be a disaster, just an annoyance.