Kaspersky takes Vista security apart

A VIRUS BUSTER over at Kaspersky Labs has some mud to throw at Microsoft's Vista.

In a report entitled Vista vs. Viruses, Alisa Shevchenko, reckons Microsoft's attempts to increase system stability overall "has had side effects".

Unsurprisingly, the author complains that Microsoft, "has made it impossible for security solution vendors to implement certain functionality within their products. As a result, it's currently not possible to use the full range of effective tools developed by antivirus vendors in the security area"

"Virus writers are now in some senses in a better position - they're not required to tackle PatchGuard head on, and rootkits will simply be able to disable it."

Of kernel mode protection. Shevchenko says, "Yes, this function protects the operating system against malicious code, but it is not as effective as the developers claim".

Since Voleware is so pervasive, "cyber criminals will always be interested in finding vulnerabilities," says the virus hunter. "The fact is that neither the quality nor the quantity of barriers intended to protect against hackers play a significant role. In fact, the opposite is true: they simply stimulate the interest of a particular subsection of the computer underground. The only significant factor is that hackers and virus writers will search for vulnerabilities - that much is clear. And if they are searching for vulnerabilities they will find them.

The conclusion is that Vista is "undoubtedly more secure than previous operating systems from Microsoft". And, a system which is configured in such a way that "everything is blocked except for access to designated sites could be regarded as being absolutely secure."

But that leaves the user constrained, Shevchenko argues.

"If you are jealous of your partner, you may forbid him/her to go out alone, or you may even lock him/her up. Of course, the greater the restrictions, the less likelihood there is of someone else entering into a relationship with your partner. But the more restrictions, the less happy your partner will be. Ultimately, the question is do you really want an unhappy partner?"

Quite. µ

L'INQ
Vista vs. Viruses