Microsoft has admitted that it could be "technically possible" (though unlikely) for Vista's speech recognition capabilities to be maliciously used.

The scenario envisioned involves malicious e-mails or audio on Web sites telling the OS to "delete" or otherwise alter a user's files against the user's wishes.

Microsoft has said that the possibility is remote, however:

"The exploit scenario would involve the speech recognition feature picking up commands through the microphone such as 'copy', 'delete', 'shutdown', etc. and acting on them," blogged a Microsoft security researcher. The blogger added that it would require a perfect alignment of circumstances: the user not being in the room to hear the audio, the microphone and speakers being turned on, the microphone being aligned just right and the clarity of the audio being perfect.

TES

Here's a little personal anecdote I just had to share:

I'm switching health insurance companies as of February 1st. When I completed the paperwork, I indicated my primary care physician's name and address on the forms. The health insurance company sent me a letter, correctly identifying my primary care physician by name, but indicated that before they could activate my account, they had to know his ID number.

That would be the ID number that the insurance company assigned to him.

They're asking ME for it.

Because apparently, I know better than they do what provider number they assigned to my doctor.

I looked up the number...on their Web site, mind you...and called their call center.

To give them the number.

Their number that they assigned to my doctor.

Next week, I'm going to anticipate a call from my bank asking me what their check clearing policies are. I'll be sure to keep a copy of the bank's customer service manual around so I can tell them when they ask.

It's enough to make you wonder whether anyone in Corporate America has even half a brain turned on nowadays.

TES