A software glitch with Windows XP, Microsoft's new flagship1 operating system,leaves users inunprecedented danger according to the company's own security experts.Some older versions ofWindows may also be affected.

　　The hole is in a service called Universal Plug and Play, which comes as standard with Windows XP.The bug2 allows a malicious hacker to gain complete control over a computer. UPnP is intendedto allow a PC to control a broad range of hardware, including the latest home appliances. UPnP canalso be added to Windows 98, 98SE and ME.

　　Microsoft representatives say that the fault poses an unprecedented risk because a user isvulnerable as soon as they connect to the Internet — no other action is required. The company hasrecommended that all users running UPnP download and install a new patch immediately.

　　Microsoft touted Windows XP as its most secure operating system3 ever when the software waslaunched worldwide on 25 October. The company estimates that it has sold over seven millioncopies of the platform since then. Spokesman Jim Desler said:“We are in the process of notifyingour customers. We have mobilized all of our technical account managers worldwide who work withbig clients and we have a very broad email list for email notification. ”

　　There are two sides to the UPnP flaw. The first could allow the hacker to break into a Windowssystem and run any programs or code they choose by sending a specially designed networkmessage. The second might enable the hacker to overload a Windows machine and prevent it fromfunctioning properly. This can be achieved by sending similarly customised network messagesrepeatedly.

　　The hole was discovered by Riley Hassell of US security company eEye Digital Security. In hisadvisory, Hassell hints that there may be further problems with the UPnP service. The USgovernment-sponsored computer monitoring service, the Computer Emergency Response Teamhas also issued an open warning to computer users about the problem.

　　練習(xí)題：

　　Ⅰ. Find synonyms for the following words from the passage:

　　1. fault

　　2. work

　　3. a lot of

　　4. suggestion

　　Ⅱ. Questions :

　　Who, Jim Desler or Riley Hassell, works for Microsoft?