Solve : Microsoft Taking Security Risks (With Vista)?

1.	Solve : Microsoft Taking Security Risks (With Vista)?
Answer» Microsoft 'taking security risks' Microsoft is taking security risks with its forthcoming Vista operating system, says software firm McAfee. The security specialist has taken out a full-page advert in the Financial Times to alert readers to its concerns. It feels the tech giant is increasing risks of hacks and viruses by locking out third-party software firms from its in-built security system for Vista. The row also involves the European Union, which is watching Vista's release for signs of monopoly abuse. "With its upcoming Vista operating system, Microsoft is embracing the flawed logic that computers will be more secure if it stops co-operating with the independent security firms," wrote George Samenuk, McAfee's chairman and chief executive in the advert. 'Preventing releases' McAfee says Microsoft is stopping security firms from accessing the core of the operating system, called the kernel, and is therefore preventing them from releasing third-party security add-ons. If Microsoft wants to make Vista more secure, it should provide equal access to the platform Symantec weblog Attacks on the kernel of an operating system - such as malicious drivers for peripherals and rootkit hacks - have become commonplace among users of Microsoft's Windows XP. Microsoft is locking security firms - and other software developers - out of the core in an effort to prevent kernel attacks on Vista. "Microsoft seems to envision a world in which one giant company not only controls the systems that drive most computers around the world but also the security that protects those computers from viruses and other online threats," the advert SAID. "Only one approach protecting us all: when it fails, it fails for 97% of the world's desktops." 'Constructive dialogue' A Microsoft spokesman said: "Our goal is to deliver a fully innovative, secure version of Windows Vista that is compliant with EU law. We have an ongoing and constructive dialogue with the European Commission on these issues." The European Commission is involved in the debate after it fined Microsoft 497m euros (£335m) in 2004 for anti-competitive behaviour. Security firms such as McAfee and Symantec believe Microsoft's actions around security for Vista amounts to a similar anti-competitive stance. Last month the European Union competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, accused Microsoft of orchestrating a "co-ordinated campaign" to discredit her. McAfee and Symantec have both stated that the core security systems for Vista have already been breached by hackers. "These new technologies, along with Microsoft's unwillingness to make compromises in this area have serious implications for the security industry as a whole," Symantec said on its security weblog. It added: "If Microsoft wants to make Vista more secure, it should provide equal access to the platform that its own developers have to ensure that security vendors can continue to innovate on the platform, and to ensure that consumers and manufacturers can continue to choose the best security solutions for the platform." Quote "Only one approach protecting us all: when it fails, it fails for 97% of the world's desktops." They have a good point there. However it's Mcafee and Norton talking... G-Man and others had it right awhile ago, don't even bother with vista till they work out the FLAWS, 6 months / 1 year ? The latest tech news say don't contemplate one of those puters that say they are vista-upgradable. It will be better to buy a puter with the OS installed then to try it yourself. Too many driver issues with pre-installed (older) hardware- "issues" !! f..y..i...yet another good reason not to trust windowsWell... if third party software is blocked, wouldent viruses be blocked as well? Anyways... McAfee is just whineing... Actually the CRACKS the Hackers used on VISTA will work against ALL OS's running an Intel or AMD x386 Based Processor. So when you here them SLAMMING vista because it was broken in to , remember it was a Hard ware flaw that allowed it. I think Microsoft's Idea to Secure Vista with in house only Code is a Good one. if you goback and read the artical that i think honvetops posted youll see how they cracked it.i wish i was smart enough to make STUFF like that (for my knowlegde not to screw ppl over except a friend or too)someone will just find a way to get past it... Quote someone will just find a way to get past it... Agreed. Some one will find a way...just give it time.Third party software has posed far fewer security risks than MS's OS. Their selection of defaults and their desire to "backdoor" their own software is the major security problem. Third party software usually corrects these issues and MS doesn't like that. MS is dead wrong in this matter. There simply MUST be more than one option when it comes to security.

Answer» Microsoft 'taking security risks'

Microsoft is taking security risks with its forthcoming Vista operating system, says software firm McAfee.

The security specialist has taken out a full-page advert in the Financial Times to alert readers to its concerns.

It feels the tech giant is increasing risks of hacks and viruses by locking out third-party software firms from its in-built security system for Vista.

The row also involves the European Union, which is watching Vista's release for signs of monopoly abuse.

"With its upcoming Vista operating system, Microsoft is embracing the flawed logic that computers will be more secure if it stops co-operating with the independent security firms," wrote George Samenuk, McAfee's chairman and chief executive in the advert.

'Preventing releases'

McAfee says Microsoft is stopping security firms from accessing the core of the operating system, called the kernel, and is therefore preventing them from releasing third-party security add-ons.

If Microsoft wants to make Vista more secure, it should provide equal access to the platform
Symantec weblog

Attacks on the kernel of an operating system - such as malicious drivers for peripherals and rootkit hacks - have become commonplace among users of Microsoft's Windows XP.

Microsoft is locking security firms - and other software developers - out of the core in an effort to prevent kernel attacks on Vista.

"Microsoft seems to envision a world in which one giant company not only controls the systems that drive most computers around the world but also the security that protects those computers from viruses and other online threats," the advert SAID.

"Only one approach protecting us all: when it fails, it fails for 97% of the world's desktops."

'Constructive dialogue'

A Microsoft spokesman said: "Our goal is to deliver a fully innovative, secure version of Windows Vista that is compliant with EU law. We have an ongoing and constructive dialogue with the European Commission on these issues."

The European Commission is involved in the debate after it fined Microsoft 497m euros (£335m) in 2004 for anti-competitive behaviour.

Security firms such as McAfee and Symantec believe Microsoft's actions around security for Vista amounts to a similar anti-competitive stance.

Last month the European Union competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, accused Microsoft of orchestrating a "co-ordinated campaign" to discredit her.

McAfee and Symantec have both stated that the core security systems for Vista have already been breached by hackers.

"These new technologies, along with Microsoft's unwillingness to make compromises in this area have serious implications for the security industry as a whole," Symantec said on its security weblog.

It added: "If Microsoft wants to make Vista more secure, it should provide equal access to the platform that its own developers have to ensure that security vendors can continue to innovate on the platform, and to ensure that consumers and manufacturers can continue to choose the best security solutions for the platform."
Quote

"Only one approach protecting us all: when it fails, it fails for 97% of the world's desktops."

They have a good point there.

However it's Mcafee and Norton talking... G-Man and others had it right awhile ago, don't even bother with vista till they work out the FLAWS, 6 months / 1 year ? The latest tech news say don't contemplate one of those puters that say they are vista-upgradable. It will be better to buy a puter with the OS installed then to try it yourself. Too many driver issues with pre-installed (older) hardware- "issues" !!
f..y..i...yet another good reason not to trust windowsWell... if third party software is blocked, wouldent viruses be blocked as well?

Anyways... McAfee is just whineing...
Actually the CRACKS the Hackers used on VISTA will work against ALL OS's running an Intel or AMD x386 Based Processor.

So when you here them SLAMMING vista because it was broken in to , remember it was a Hard ware flaw that allowed it.

I think Microsoft's Idea to Secure Vista with in house only Code is a Good one.

if you goback and read the artical that i think honvetops posted youll see how they cracked it.i wish i was smart enough to make STUFF like that (for my knowlegde not to screw ppl over except a friend or too)someone will just find a way to get past it... Quote

someone will just find a way to get past it...

Agreed. Some one will find a way...just give it time.Third party software has posed far fewer security risks than MS's OS. Their selection of defaults and their desire to "backdoor" their own software is the major security problem. Third party software usually corrects these issues and MS doesn't like that. MS is dead wrong in this matter. There simply MUST be more than one option when it comes to security.

Solve : Microsoft Taking Security Risks (With Vista)?

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