Microsoft is warning of an attack that could be used to divert someone’s Web traffic through a malicious proxy server. Microsoft is warning of an attack that could be used to divert someone’s Web traffic through a malicious proxy server.Applications such as Internet Explorer use the Web Proxy Automatic Discovery (WPAD) protocol to find a file that enables a browser to configure its proxy settings. However, it’s possible to plant a configuration file that would route traffic through a malicious proxy, the company said.A malicious WPAD.dat file could be placed in the DNS or the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), Microsoft said. The client application looks in DNS or WINS to resolve the name of the hosting that has the proxy configuration file. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe Once the bad file is there, WPAD clients “may be able to route their Internet traffic through a malicious proxy server,” Microsoft said. Microsoft details on its support site how administrators can configure DNS and WINS on their servers to help prevent what it calls “malicious registrations” of WPAD files. The fix is for Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. Microsoft wasn’t immediately able to comment. -Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service (London Bureau)Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content opinion The changing face of cybersecurity threats in 2023 Cybersecurity has always been a cat-and-mouse game, but the mice keep getting bigger and are becoming increasingly harder to hunt. By Dipti Parmar Sep 29, 2023 8 mins Cybercrime Security brandpost Should finance organizations bank on Generative AI? Finance and banking organizations are looking at generative AI to support employees and customers across a range of text and numerically-based use cases. By Jay Limbasiya, Global AI, Analytics, & Data Management Business Development, Unstructured Data Solutions, Dell Technologies Sep 29, 2023 5 mins Artificial Intelligence brandpost Embrace the Generative AI revolution: a guide to integrating Generative AI into your operations The CTO of SAP shares his experiences and learnings to provide actionable insights on navigating the GenAI revolution. By Juergen Mueller Sep 29, 2023 4 mins Artificial Intelligence feature 10 most in-demand generative AI skills Gen AI is booming, and companies are scrambling to fill skills gaps by hiring freelancers to make the most of the technology. These are the 10 most sought-after generative AI skills on the market right now. By Sarah K. White Sep 29, 2023 8 mins Hiring Generative AI IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe