Windows Sidebar Protection is a new security tool developed to automatically disable malicious gadgets.

Gadgets are usually small but useful tools normally written using HTML and scripts for doing things like RSS feeds or monitoring the PC. While the gadgets are created by both Microsoft and third parties and are available from the Microsoft web site, the company admits they are not vetted.

Microsoft is calling the new 1MB download a “high priority” update which is outlined in the Microsoft Security Advisory (943411). While the update is optional, depending on you security settings in Windows Automatic Updates, the code may be downloaded and installed automatically.

Austin Wilson, a director in the Windows Client Management group stated “The update gives us a mechanism to prevent a malicious gadget from being unstalled first of all, and if it’s installed, to block the gadget from running, … we are being proactive here. We looked at the security landscape and wanted this in place in case a problem arises in the future”.

Microsoft officials said they know of no vulnerabilities in existing gadgets presently. Great comfort!

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