Microsoft has on a number of occasions claimed that its Vista is more secure than any other operating system it released. While acknowledging that Microsoft has done a lot to make the new operating system more stable and secure, researchers at software security firm McAfee warn users to be more careful.

Toralv Dirro, researcher with McAfee’s Avert Labs, expressed concern that people will be lulled into a false sense of security by the claims being made about Vista’s high level of security, which he remarked might lead some people to desist from using antivirus software, firewalls and “common sense”.

“Now that everyone is thinking Vista is very secure maybe they’re also thinking: ‘Why do I need that firewall?’ People might not install antivirus and keep it updated or use common sense when downloading things off the internet.

“What hackers really want is not control over the system but control over the data,” he added. “Even if malware cannot take full use of the machine the hacker can still steal all the data he’s interested in. That could be a real danger if people perceive the system as so secure they stop thinking. It took years for them to start thinking about security and that could change for the worse.”

He also said that Windows Vista presents its own unique set of problems.

“With Vista, Microsoft made it very difficult for protection software to really hook up people with the operating system to have full control over that machine,” said Dirro. “If some malware breaks into Vista and targets this kind of access then it’s in complete control of the system and in control over the security software that is running there. Then it becomes absolutely impossible to detect that malware once it has taken control.”

Vista is becoming the favorite OS among hacker.

A week ago, a group of hacker known as NoPE claims to have created a Vista installation DVD that requires no hack, no serial key and no bypassing, it simply activates, works and goes about updating right after the install.

Recently, a web application developer also found a way to hack Windows Vista through its User Account Control (UAC) feature.

“No matter what they build into the operating system of Vista the malware writer is going to find a way to shut it down or circumvent it,” added Dave Marcus, researcher, Avert Labs, McAfee.

Vista may be more secure than any other operating system Microsoft has released, but not good enough to put your guard down. Be more careful.

Related:

Russinovich in retreat over Windows Vista security claims

Anti-virus struggles on protecting 64-bit Vista computer systems

Windows Vista requires more patches than XP

The truth about Windows Vista security

Windows Vista security programs fail detection tests

Entry was posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 11:29 pm under Security, Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Ruben Francia.
Stumble It!