Simviation Forums

This is an extract from BBC News

Microsoft 'taking security risks'
Bill Gates and Microsoft
Vista is a crucial release for Microsoft
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 (

Let's see here........ a big noise out of a company that sells a product that another company is trying to make obsolete.

I have never used McAfee except at work where one had no choice!  I've only used AVG on my own machines. (But this might also mean that AVG won't work with Vista either!!!)  M(qualcosa)s will not be allowed to sell Vista in Europe unless varied third parties have access.
Vololiberista

I think its a company groaning because they suck and MS realizes this and is trying to up the in system protection.... come on, how many times have people complained about MS being a monopoly? is it THEIR FAULT they are the only people who can make a reasonable OS? Macs are worthless unless you enjoy simple video editing and such.... and linux is free... so I am not surprised by this..... Norton has proved to be bad for me, and mcaffe? ah hell I'm better off with AVG.... Cheers, Gunny

[quote]

Microsoft and Sony should team up. Their CEOs seem to think alike.

But MS should have seen this coming, Adobe and a few other software companys already sued them for not allowing their programs sufficent support for Vista.

I still think my favorite was when they were going to have "Vista Certified Hardware" or hardware that would only run on vista if MS liked that manufacture.

You would think that ole Bill would have enough money that he wouldn't need to screw us like he does, but its his cheap amusement.

Cheers
Cameron

Microsoft can do what ever they want with there own product  ;)

Microsoft and Sony should team up. Their CEOs seem to think alike.

I dont like the fact that MS decides what someone should be able to due with thier own computer, but do like the fact that they realize the riskes that some third party companies give a unsuspecting user.
Most computers pre-built come with the bloatware known as Norton or McAfee (this is also how they get thier ranks as being "most used"). The only times I had serious issues was when running one of the above products then turned to freeware solutions such as AVG or Avast and haven't had a issue since. Recently I have went back to payware and got NOD32 and must say that it is the absolute best there is.

I feel that Bill has the right to make his product anyway he chooses, just like the computer user has the right to buy it. Just becasue 80% of the computers in the world run Windows is the reason third parties are pissed if they arent allowed to "infect" peoples computers it will be a huge loss for them, but America in general is based on free enterprise and if the third parties cant except that too bad.

Maybe if they would think about re-doing thier software to be less bloated and more efficient then MS may reconsider.

I am however watching this closely to see what the outcome will be.

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

That right there makes perfect sense to me

its basicly McAffe agreeing with the EU that MS are commitiing monopolu abuse... a monopoly they started so they control it and that is wrong somehow??

if another company could make a PS that could compare to MS then this problem wouldnt exist its just jealousy on the bottom lines!

I do remember that a famous American once said "You can have any colour you like as long as it's black!"
So now we have "You can have any programme you like as long as it's made by M(qualcosa)s!!"
Am i Right, or am I right?
My local dealer here in Italy thinks we won't see Vista in Europe until 2009 as it will take that long for M(qualcosa)s to comply with the EU directives.
Vololiberista

Heh. Can anyone guess why the next computer I buy will be a Mac?


Vololibrista, why do you call it M(qualcosa)s?

I run a personal record with a mac, Crashing one that is.... 15 times in one day while trying to help my teacher figure out how to run a photo editing program.... hehe I love macs, they seem to make good target practice for hammers! Cheers, Gunny

Vololibrista, why do you call it M(qualcosa)s?

Because we're not free to use M and $ M(qualcosa)s lawyers insist that we cannot use an abbreviation of their name and it has to be displayed in full. So, whenever one writes M and $ the system automatically creates the full name. Yet another M(qualcosa)s nail in our freedom!!!
Vololiberista

So what does qualcosa mean then?

So what does qualcosa mean then?

Significa "something"