RE: Apparently the practice was prevalent

[John.Airey () rnib org uk]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cael Abal [mailto:lists2 () onryou com]
> Sent: 10 February 2004 03:27
> To: full-disclosure () lists netsys com
> Subject: Re: [Full-disclosure] Apparently the practice was prevalent
>
>
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> I'm of the opinion that reinterpreting these particular ancient RFCs
> is really of no practical use and that this thread probably deserves
> to die a quiet death.
>
> The fact of the matter is, regardless of what the RFCs have to say
> about the subject, Microsoft's abandoning of the username:password
> http/https feature should drastically hinder an entire class of
> unelegant phishing schemes.  This is a good thing.
>
> The patch will also act as another (albeit tiny) nudge away from the
> tradition of passwords saved and used in-the-clear, which is also a
> good thing.
>
> Does anything else really need to be said?
Once more into the breach...

Regardless of what you think of these 'ancient' RFCs, you must bear in mind
that an even more 'ancient' RFC determines the format of the email you are
reading, RFC 822. It's worth pointing out that anyone who does not have an
"open" email relay is in breach of this RFC, which as we all know (or at
least should know) is a BAD idea. 

The question is though, when RFCs are defined, is there a sound basis for
going against what is stated or implied within it? In this case, I would say
no.

I'm not the greatest of Microsoft fans, but for once they have fixed
something they had broken. They've even given opportunity to restore the
"broken" usage for those that still need to use it.

Now, it may have been better for the dialog box to be popped up warning you
that you are sending information to a site (although some users may have
disabled this). However, considering this is non-standard, they have
probably made the better choice.

- 
John Airey, BSc (Jt Hons), CNA, RHCE
Internet systems support officer, ITCSD, Royal National Institute of the
Blind,
Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU,
Tel.: +44 (0) 1733 375299 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 370848 John.Airey () rnib org uk 

According to the book of Acts, Eutychus was the first man to suffer from a
General Protection Fault with Windows.

- 
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