Experts agree that Microsoft's Windows Vista is relatively well-protected but its security features such as User Account Control (UAC) have been highlighted by security experts as one reason why the operating system is far less popular than its predecessor, Windows XP.
While Microsoft talked up Windows Vista security at Black Hat, a researcher in another room demonstrated how to hack the operating system.
Around 70 percent of Windows Vista on home systems are infected with malware, according to PC Tools, which claims the figure is so high because UAC is very annoying and users are disabling the security feature.
Shortly after the 9/11 bombings, Microsoft hired Scott Charney, a federal prosecutor for the US justice Department, to head up its Trustworthy Computing division. At AusCERT 2008, ZDNet.com.au caught up with Charney to hear his thoughts on how those events changed the security landscape and what he thinks about the current state of IT security.
Security company Kaspersky claimed that Vista's User Account Control (UAC), the system of user privileges that can be used to restrict users' administrative rights, will be so annoying that users will disable it.
Windows 7 will be one of Microsoft's greatest operating systems, if it fulfils the promise shown by the unofficial beta version we have been testing for the past couple of days.
Don't want to take Windows Vista for a test drive until you know what it has to offer? Join Windows expert Deb Shinder for a visual tour of Beta 2 as she points out some of the more dramatic changes and shares her impressions of the new OS.
George Stathakopoulos, general manager of product security at Microsoft, tells us how Windows XP SP2 came about and why the company is not yet ready to talk about XP SP3. He also explains that UAC in Windows Vista is designed to be part of a 'defence in depth' strategy and not a standalone security solution.
Windows Vista Home Basic is essentially warmed-over Windows XP, Windows XP SP3. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.
Windows Vista Business is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.
Windows Vista Home Premium is essentially warmed-over Windows XP Home Edition. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista Home Premium is stable enough for everyday use.
Windows Vista Ultimate is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.
Don't want to take Windows Vista for a test drive until you know what it has to offer? Join Windows expert Deb Shinder for a visual tour of Beta 2 as she points out some of the more dramatic changes and shares her impressions of the new OS.
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