Big Surprise: Security Holes Found In Vista
from the open-windows dept
Throughout the (longer than expected) development of Vista, Microsoft has worked hard to push the idea that it wouldn't be burdened by the same sort of security problems as older versions of Windows. The company has beefed up the built-in security features and services of the software, much to the chagrin of some third-party security developers and the European Union, and one of its execs gave people the idea that Vista wouldn't need anti-virus software. Given all that, it's still not surprising to hear that researchers and hackers have found plenty of flaws in Vista, even before it's been released to consumers. It's the same type of stuff that's plagued Windows XP, like a browser flaw and a user-privileges hack, and just the sort of thing most people were expecting despite the company's incessant talk about Vista being more secure. The bad news for Microsoft is that things are probably only going to get worse: a new version of Windows was bound to be a massive target for hackers, and the company's security hype has likely only made it an even bigger one.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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So What
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No operating system that takes the kind of atention that windows takes will ever be totally safe.
Is there any vault impossible to crack?
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Inherent Flaws in Any New Operating System
Any new opeating system is going to have security holes.
It is a fact of life such as when new drugs are released .
The product may have been tested and retested in "real life situations" > but it is only when out in the field with the vast numbers of users that reality and percentages kick in.
1/1000 of 1 % of zillions of users is still a lot of people.
Every Microsoft Windows system that has been released ( all the way from Windows 3.0) was touted as "the most secure system ever.".
Windows Vista has a brand new network stack.
It took Windows XP till the release of Service Pack 2 (SP2) to finally get its security act in control.
Welcome to life.
Hopefully the advantages of Vista are more than pretty colors on the screen and utilities that can be found 3rd party which wll work on much less demanding computers and much less demanding computer operating systems.
www.adgerlinux.com
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Vista Holes
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Rolled up newspaper.
It looks as if they double dog dared every hacker saying that they couldn't do it.. for shame, Microsoft. For shame.
My Vista copy is in the mail-- I, personally, can't wait!
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Linux Rules
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A lot of people think that companies don't intentionally make it possible for hackers and enthusiasts to download illegal copies of their software. They do, it's the test bed for their software. If it's not GNU, it has to be tested some way, and an OS like Vista, needs a lot of testers.
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Two more words...
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Move on
Nothing will ever 100% secure.
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I have an idea
JUST MAKE AN OPERATING SYSTEM. take out all the addons that add all the security holes. For example. have you ever counted how many patches there are for outlook express? I get one almost every update and I don't use it.
Take out the firewall, anti virus, messenger, MSN and all the other crap no one uses. Put in a rudimentary browser and let people download what they may want from microsoft's web site or AOL's or FireFox.
The less there is in a operating system the smaller the target.
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Re: So What
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Who's to blame
There is nothing imoral or illegal about selling a software OS, even if it not tested to perfection. There is something illegal about exploiting a product to wreck a business or to extract confidential information to which you have no rights.
Why can't we shame the hacker community instead of deriding software manufacturers? Its analgous to complaining about Homeland Security being so inept while defending Osama's right to try to kill us.
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Most Secure Windows Ever!
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Errr, we should love flaws and just say 'good enough'?
Macintosh has the best of everything
Yes, that would be FreeBSD at its core.
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Re: I have an idea
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Re: Linux Rules
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Re: Re: So What
Generalizations like this show just how little someone knows about overall application. Macs have their advantages in the Art and Music world. I have one in my art dept now. The DO NOT have the best of EVERTHING. Try to run a relational database (like SQL) on one and you'll soon be looking for razor-blades for your wrists and inquiring about the kool-aid recipes used in Jonestown.
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Vista
With XP, I simply keep my computer updated and a good virus and spyware program and I have Never had a problem.
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Mr. Alternatives.
The simple fact is that I want an OS that runs the programs I want to run-- not an OS that can run a program to run programs I want to run.
If I wanted to make a computer-animated movie, I'd get a mac. It has plenty of strong points-- just not strong points I care about.
The number of people who want to punch holes in macs is significantly smaller that people trying to hack MS-- if you mac fanboys had your way and we all blindly bought compters with pretty cases, then hackers would turn their eyes to the OS X, and you'd be in the same boat.
I think you should pretend macs are a secret, keep quiet and hope they don't get more popular.
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Re: Re: Re: So What
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Wow, im Surpised!
kinda reminds me of a joke. "whats the difference between a car salesman, and a software salesman?" - "only the car salesman knows when he's lieing"
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Default privs
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Re: Re: Linux Rules
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Re: Mr. Alternatives.
I really wish people like you would stop spreading FUD like that. Windows and Internet Explorer are insecure by design. The situation has improved a little over the years, but not totally.
But yeah, if you don't have a clue what you're talking about, you don't have business saying things like: "The number of people who want to punch holes in macs is significantly smaller that people trying to hack MS" and "Linux has just as many flaws...just not as big of a target on it."
"I run Apache webserver on a Linux box (going on 8 years now) and can tell you stories of it being hacked also."
That could be Apache, not Linux, that has flaws. There could also be something stupid about how you have Apache set up and configured. There could also be something stupid about permissions you have on files that are accessible to the Internet. You also might have flaws in your web page code. You might also have something stupid in your MySQL set up.
At any rate, I'm sure your "8 years" of running an Apache server have been a helluva lot better than anyone's 8 years on an IIS server.
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Microsoft Sucks
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Re: I have an idea
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For you idiots
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For you idiots
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Re: Move on
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Re: Move on
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1 Word:
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?
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lawl
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Hard tellin'
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Re: Move on
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Re: Re: I have an idea
The thing that makes me mad is that vista disables the ability to install third party antivirus. the kernel is blocked from them.
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I've been using Microsoft products since Windows 95 and I've had few few problems -zero problems with XP. If you keep your computer updated, use an antivirus and spyware protection, you should never have any problems.
The vast majority of problems that people have with XP is when they go to porn or warez or other "bad" sites and click "yes" to use this active x control or download bad software.
Microsoft made a great product which is easy to use and runs great. They have to constantly run updates ONLY because of the stupid hackers.
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Re: Chrono
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http://www.betanews.com/article/Is_Vista_Really_BugPlagued_as_the_NY_Times_Claims/116717 6211
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Re: So What
They don't have a CHOICE.
"I like MS and will never be a Mac user"
Nice try astroturfer.
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Re: So What
One thing you can count on is change. How you adapt to change determines how successful you are in this world. Adapt poorly, you fall behind. Adapt well, and you succeed. Are your statements based upon a emotional attachment to the product or do you have examples of windows being the best O.S.?
I do not hate/dislike Windows or any other operating system any more than a Chevy vs. Ford vs. Lexus. And, yes people do take sides, but I still do not understand their logic. It exists. I am a tech professional and I must use it. I prefer other operating systems but if I must, I can function just dandy with another. No biggy.
But, most of the time when I hear statements like this it is because of ignorance and complacency rather that a real evaluation of the pros and cons. I hope this is not the case with you.
I am intrigued at statements like this. Please expand on this so I can understand you :-)
I am interested to hear more on this.
Fred
PS: "640K is more memory than anyone will ever need.' ;-)
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Re: I have an idea
Which Grandmother is going to download and configure a firewall. Which novice is going to know what to do. MS is doing the right thing, why do u think it is such a success story.
I love Linux, Solaris and Windows XP. All for different reasons.
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Re: Re: So What
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