Comments on: Top 5 Windows Vista Security Tips

By: AnthonySPT

AnthonySPT — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:19:27 +0000

I know this is an older article, but since it pops up it might be worth the time to correct some factual errors.

For Example #4, yes it is more secure and generally faster to run the 64bit version of Vista or Windows7; however, ASLR and DEP are not ONLY enabled on the 64bit versions.

DEP has been enabled on WindowsXP since SP2, and is enabled on both 32bit and 64bit versions of Vista and Windows7.

If your processor doesn’t support DEP, Windows will use a software version of DEP to supplement the feature. So DEP being on has nothing to do with 64bit or 32bit, it has more to do with your processor’s abilities.

ASLR is also enabled on 32bit versions of Vista and Windows7. Vista 32bit prior to SP1 didn’t have IE7 or a few other applications using ASLR.

The ASLR in Vista 32bit is a less robust than the ASLR system in Vista 64bit, but this has to do more with the abundance of address space in a 64bit OS more than how the feature itself works.

The one feature 64bit does ‘force’ on for security reasons is the signing of low level kernel drivers. This means that any driver that runs in a lower ring of the OS MUST be signed and verfied in order to run, and the only way around this is for the user to press F8 during boot and disable the feature each time.

This ‘feature’ can be annoying if you have really old hardware and your provider never signed their 64bit drivers, but for 99.999% of the people it ensures the stability of the OS and security of lower level drivers to prevent malware from injecting itself at a trusted level.

By: Adrian P Ball,

Adrian P Ball, — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:02:50 +0000

As a very lay operator using a dell Dimension E520 PC, although I have MacAfee protection and Windows Defender installed ,I wonder IF (unless it`s automatically built in!) a simple automatic time out system exists for cable contract users ! ie switching out the cable MODEM ,say after 10 mins of “IDLE TIME”. This may be inconvenient for obviously professional users, but a varaiable time system that one could set-up and install one`s self would be great! OR am I being abit ignorant of the whole darn maze of internet/email engineering? Chers, from Adrian Ball, ENFIELD UK.

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:04:11 +0000

Keeping it running sufficiently.
When I first got my computer I didn’t realize how important having antispyware was to keeping it running sufficiently. However, it didn’t take very long for it to become perfectly clear. If you don’t have a good scan you will have many problems that could be avoided so easily. Search-and-destroy Antispyware is a great option when it comes to scanning for bugs that will help you keep your computer running at its peak efficiency. The antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy which you will find at Search-and-destroy will help give your PC the protection it needs to keep it in good working condition.

By: dizzeedudlee

dizzeedudlee — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:31:32 +0000

Dragon seems to know quite a bit about VISTA security.I admire him,for generously sharing his knowledge.His tips are very helpful,to me,even though I don’t have a 64 bit version of VISTA.

By: Ron Knights

Ron Knights — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:49:51 +0000

Thanks for the tips. However, I won’t upgrade to the 64-bit of Vista.

I don’t think it’s really necessary if you take the proper precautions.

By: Michael Chen

Michael Chen — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:52:57 +0000

If tip #4 is accurate, i would need to find myself a copy of Vista 64bit. Never knew such thing as “Address Space Layout Randomizer” would be on it to improve system performance.

Thanks for the tip.

By: Peior Crustulum

Peior Crustulum — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:23:21 +0000

Upgrading from a 32 bit version of windows to a 64 bit is equally impossible as to the thought of upgrading from a 32 bit version of a linux distro or if it existed, OSX to a 64 bit version.

The underlying technology is simply not compatable from one to the other.

I hope that clears up your missconseption Lamarr ;)

By: The blog of Rob Margel : Top 5 Windows Vista Security Tips

The blog of Rob Margel : Top 5 Windows Vista Security Tips — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:56:50 +0000

[...] little article on Top 5 Windows Vista Security Tips from Dragon Via Chris Pirillo it covers the following (followed by a Windows Help and How-to [...]

By: Lamarr Wilson

Lamarr Wilson — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:57:00 +0000

I like your tips, but the 64 bit tip is hard for us who already have the 32bit version of Vista, only because it doesn’t allow you to upgrade to it. You have to do a complete wipe, which is crazy in my opinion. I appreciate your tips overall!

By: Seven71ne

Seven71ne — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:44:33 +0000

You know this really does come in handy, i just bought a laptop, and i had no choice but to get vista (blah) but you know, oh well. Thanks alot for all this!

By: Miguel Wickert

Miguel Wickert — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:47:43 +0000

Not bad, I had a friend that tried the 64 bit version and went back to the 32 bit. What may be a possible down fall to using the 64 bit?

By: Adam Radcliffe

Adam Radcliffe — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:21:58 +0000

Thanks for the tips bro i had just recently installed Vista about 2 days ago

By: WindowsObserver.com

WindowsObserver.com — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The company already handed out pre-beta copies of the pending replacement for Windows Vista at two major developer conferences it held in Los Angeles in … See all stories on this topic Google Blogs Alert for: windows vistaTop 5 Windows Vista Security TipsBy Chris Keep Windows Vista up-to-date. Every platform always has things that doesn???t work the way it should, that errors are called bugs, and the only secure way to fix those bugs is keeping your operating system up to date.

By: Global Security Watch

Global Security Watch — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

a 466% return on investment after purchasing a thin client for their business. The IDC whitepaper also takes an in depth look at the benefit of HP thin clients to major Australia and New Zealand ticketing partner, Ticketek. [Chris Pirillo]Top 5 Windows Vista Security Tips | Chris Pirillo: [...] little article on Top 5 Windows Vista Security Tips from Dragon Via Chris Pirillo it covers the following (followed by a Windows Help and How-to [...] [CRN Australia - News -] Sun and VMware issue vital updates – Applications – CRN