Weaknesses in Vista Protection; Need to Inform Users

Webroot, company specializing in security software has announced the details of potential vulnerabilities in Vista operating system's protection tools, including Windows Defender, Live OneCare and its anti-virus/anti-spyware software.

Speaking in praise of Microsoft, Gerhard Eschelbeck, CTO and SVP of engineering for Webroot in a company press release of January 26, 2007 applauded the considerable improvements and interesting new features that Windows Vista has offered. He acknowledges the product's impressive function possible by the support of built-in applications, graphic improvements and networking enhancements. Aside these Webroot aims to ensure that users understand the limitations of Vista operating system. The company wants to caution users that Microsoft's free malware blocking applications and anti-virus items may not be sufficient to protect against those limitations. As there has been a continuous increase in the innovation and persistency exhibited by cyber criminals and malware publishers, it is imperative for users to deploy additional security solutions for their PCs to have real-time protection against all viruses/worms and malware.

As part of Webroot Threat Research Team's ongoing testing it emerged that Windows Defender could not block 84 percent of the test sample that contained 15 of the most fundamental variants of prevailing spyware and malware.

In another test, Windows Vista totally failed to detect adware, keyloggers, Trojans, Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and system monitors residing on the test PC. A testing of one PUP showed that it gained administers privileges to install, execute and seize keystrokes that Defender could not detect from a running application.

Webroot wishes to caution that Windows Vista has limitations exposing users to viruses and other forms of malware besides dangers of spyware.

Eschelbeck offers to say that it understands that Microsoft's main objective lies in providing a new OS that would improve users' computing environment. But as a company that is a key warrior against cyber crime, it must have security and protection of users at the top and their only priority. So if it provides regular information about the possible security flaws in its Vista operating system, it will help users make informed decisions. Eschelbeck said his company genuinely hoped Microsoft to accomplish its well-intended goal.

Related article: Wisconsin Credit Union Members Receive phishing E-Mails

» SPAMfighter News - 1/31/2007