Salon.com Technology | Windows XP vulnerable to hacker attacks

"The Windows XP problems affect a little-used feature that eventually will allow consumers to control high-tech household appliances using their computers. Called 'universal plug and play,' the feature is activated by design in every copy of Windows XP and can be added manually to Microsoft's earlier Windows ME software, also used by millions of consumers worldwide."

Hmmm... this brings to mind a certain conversation I had with JettJag a little over a year ago. I was writing some demos of Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) at the time. I remember saying something like "Wow, I hope they have some really good security on UPnP, 'cause otherwise, someone could take over your whole network."

I'm actually kind of amazed by this. UPnP just seems to be so obviously something you'd want to make as secure as possible. If I'm going to be running my house off a PC, I don't want some random guy on the Internet to be able to open and close my garage door on a whim.