Windows 8 Preview: Still a Long Way

Windows Defender, which is a security solution for safeguarding Windows 8 is claimed to detect only some of the malicious code samples, according to Chester Wisniewski, a Senior Security Advisor at Sophos Canada, reports Softpedia on September 30, 2011.

Wisniewski also held that testing of the anti-virus measures within the Windows 8 developer preview enable the provision of third-party protection on a test file from the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR). It allowed him to understand the effectiveness of Windows 8's effectiveness without revealing himself to the real threats.

However, as Wisniewski concluded that he was rather interested in understanding the capabilities of the program and the ways in which it would help users' who came across with malicious activities. The software is installed on a virtual machine and spared a disk on a full workstation, reports the news published in naked security on September 30, 2011.

He also asserted that all the entire samples dated from 6 to 12 months and besides he also tested Mac, Linux, and Windows malware to observe if it had cross-platform capabilities or not.

Nonetheless, the software could successfully detect several fake and anti-virus samples for Mac and Windows as well as many copies of Linux/RST-B.

In accordance to the claims of the EICAR website, the EICAR test file facilitates into finding out the occurrence of any virus incident or even demonstrating others in the organization and observes their performance in similar situations.

However, Wisniewski is hopeful that there still exists ample time with Microsoft for addressing the setbacks. Present situation of course indicate towards people adopting unnecessary risks for testing the samples. As of now, however he suggested other testers to play it safe.

Moreover, Wisniewski also observed that though Windows 8 is an early preview, it still requires being more efficient. He also appreciated Microsoft for detecting three major platforms.

Additionally, he also recommended for installing a third-party anti-virus program if someone is testing Windows 8 on a live network. Though Windows Defender has successfully detected many samples, it still requires sufficient time to function effectively.

Related article: Windows XP Fault Strike Firewall

» SPAMfighter News - 10/13/2011