Comments on: Is Microsoft Windows Security a Myth?

By: Zane Trance

Zane Trance — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:12:34 +0000

I grew up with Windows, and know how to work around its flaws. All OS’s have flaws, and the one you know how to work around best is the right one for you.

By: J.Michael A.

J.Michael A. — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:45:42 +0000

Very interesting article.
Some points were really strong and I really enjoyed it :)

By: Pablo 54

Pablo 54 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:19:15 +0000

A very succinct and informative comparison of both OS’s in regards to security. As it has been pointed out in the article and a few of the responses, ultimately it is the user who holds the key to effective protection against malware, etc. There will never be an OS created that can compensate for ignorance.
Nicely done.

By: GrannyDiane

GrannyDiane — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:28:03 +0000

I did learn something from reading this article, but I have used Windows since I started using a computer. At my age, I don’t think I will be changing. The article was informative, though.

By: Daniel Osborne

Daniel Osborne — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:51:31 +0000

Well written article. It bring up some very interesting points, I have turned my UAC off but mainly out of habit for doing it for everyone else, but I think I may have to turn it back on for many reasons

Anyway, I hope to see more articles of yours circulating the blog circuit!

By: Mohamad

Mohamad — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:34:19 +0000

hey guys
im here just to say that everyine should wake up Vista GREAT I say that because when i bought my laptop and want to upgrade to vista everybody told me ur system will crach and its didnt and they told me xp faster then its not whats bad in vista that its slow but xp not faster Windows 7 will be GREAT thats what i belive so take care guys

By: Rex Torres

Rex Torres — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:17:41 +0000

Interesting article, indeed. Thanks for explaining the UAC and Vista’s security features in very simple terms. I wasn’t aware of them at all!

By: Rupesh98

Rupesh98 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:12:46 +0000

I was using Kaspersky internet security earlier & was satisfied by its performance.Though i’m now using Norton 2009 IS & it’s a very good software for protecting malwares & viruses but why should take the risk ? I use UAC & though it feels disturbing at times but i feel secured.

By: Rakesh Bapat

Rakesh Bapat — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Windows 7 should be here soon.Do you guys know the launch date ? ANother participant is coming to be added in your comparison.

By: Smith John

Smith John — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:44:53 +0000

There are a number of configurable UAC settings. I think it is possible to, require administrators to re-enter their password for heightened security,require the user to press Ctrl+Alt+Del as part of the authentication process for heightened security & disable Admin Approval Mode (UAC prompts for administrators) entirely.You have made some valid points.

By: Chiopm

Chiopm — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:43:02 +0000

Applications written with the assumption that the user will be running with administrator privileges experienced problems in earlier versions of Windows when run from limited user accounts, often because they attempted to write to machine-wide or system directories (such as Program Files) or registry keys (notably HKLM).Nice artcle.Good job.

By: Abirlal

Abirlal — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:42:21 +0000

UAC generally ask for credentials in a Secure Desktop mode, where the entire screen is temporarily darkened and Windows Aero disabled and only the authorization window is enlightened, to present only the elevation user interface (UI). This thing must happen to prevent spoofing of the UI or the mouse by the application requesting elevation.Good read.

By: Sanatan Goswami

Sanatan Goswami — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:41:27 +0000

Common tasks, such as changing the time zone, do not require administrator privileges.Although changing the system time itself does, since the system time is commonly used in security protocols.A number of tasks that required administrator privileges in earlier versions of Windows, like installing critical Windows updates, no longer do so in Vista.You know,any program can be run as administrator by right-clicking its icon and clicking “Run as administrator”.

By: Nutan

Nutan — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:40:53 +0000

As i understand it,when an application requests higher privileges or “Run as administrator” is clicked, UAC will prompt for confirmation and, if consent is given, start the process using the unrestricted token.

By: Ratan Tanish

Ratan Tanish — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:01:16 +0000

I knew When logging into Vista as a standard user, a logon session is created and a token containing only the most basic privileges is assigned. So, the new logon session is incapable of making changes that would affect the entire system.All i’m saying is that, When logging in as a user in the Administrators group, two separate tokens are assigned.Is this normal ? Cheers for writing a good article.