[real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
- From: Glenn <glennervin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 20:16:16 -0500
I think Microsoft was noticing a pinch from their profits, by Macs and
Linux, so they needed to do this.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Reginald George" <adapt@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <nutkc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
<accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:17 PM
Subject: [real-eyes] Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
FYI
-----Original Message-----
From: peter altschul
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 1:46 PM
To: Ati
Subject: [ATI] [VICUG-L] Fw: [blindwindows8] Windows 8 Security what's new
Windows 8 Security: What's New
Windows 8 is a major OS overhaul, but some of the most important
additions might be the ones you can't see. Here's a look at
Windows 8's
new security tools and features.
By Eric Geier, PCWorld May 17, 2012 9:00 pm
Windows 8 Security: What's NewThe Start screen is the most
obvious
change to Windows 8, but some of the biggest changes are less
apparent.
When Windows 8 comes out later this year, the new Start screen
and
Metro-style apps will likely be the first changes you'll notice,
but
those aren't the only things that are new. Microsoft is also
making some
serious security enhancements to help keep your system safer and
to
improve Windows' ability to combat viruses and malware. It just
may be
the biggest improvement to Windows security yet.
Antivirus Comes Preinstalled
For the first time in the history of Windows, you'll enjoy
protection
from viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, rootkits, and other malware
from
the very first day you turn on your Windows PC--without spending
a cent.
Windows 8 comes with an updated version of Windows Defender that
includes traditional antivirus functions in addition to the
spyware
protection and other security features that it has offered since
Windows
Vista. Windows Defender now provides similar protection--and a
similar
look and feel--to that of the free Microsoft Security Essentials
antivirus program, which Microsoft has offered to users as an
optional
download since 2009.
Windows 8 Security: What's NewThe updated Windows Defender
resembles
Microsoft Security Essentials.
Since Windows Defender will provide at least basic virus and
malware
protection, purchasing yearly antivirus subscriptions (such as
from
McAfee or Norton) or downloading a free antivirus package (like
AVG or
Avast) is optional, whereas before it was pretty much required if
you
wanted to stay virus-free. Of course, you may disable Windows
Defender
and use another antivirus utility that promises better protection
and
more features, but at least everyone will have basic protection
by default.
Better Download Screening
When Microsoft released Internet Explorer 9, it updated the
browser's
SmartScreen Filter to help detect and block unknown and
potentially
malicious programs that you download; the function complements
IE's
website filtering, which works to block phishing and malicious
sites.
Starting with Windows 8, the program-monitoring portion of the
SmartScreen Filter is built into Windows itself, and it will work
whether you're using IE, Firefox, Chrome, or any other browser.
In Windows 8, the first time you run a program that you
downloaded from
the Internet, the SmartScreen Filter checks it against a list of
known
safe applications, and alerts you if it's unknown and therefore
has the
potential to be malware. If the alert does pop up, you could
then
further investigate the program (and the source where you
downloaded it)
before running it.
Windows 8 Security: What's NewSmartScreen produces an alert if
you run
an unknown program.
Since Microsoft is adding the SmartScreen feature, the company is
removing the previous Security Warning alerts that appeared when
you
first opened a downloaded program (the old alert would show the
verification status of the program publisher and warn you about
running
programs downloaded from the Internet).
This is a welcome change, as it cuts down on the number of alerts
you
have to click through--with Windows 8, you'll see an alert only
when
something's amiss.
Faster, More Secure Startup
Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft will begin to promote a new
type of
boot method, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which
improves upon and replaces the archaic BIOS boot system that most
PCs
have been using for decades. I won't get into the technical
details
here, but UEFI offers better security, faster startup times, and
a
number of other benefits.
Thanks to this new boot method (and other system enhancements),
your PC
will start up more quickly--in as little as 8 seconds, from the
time you
press the power button to when Windows fully loads to the
desktop. But
you're sure to appreciate the less noticeable improvements too.
The
Secure Boot feature of UEFI will prevent advanced malware (such
as
bootkits and rootkits) from causing damage, and it will stop
other boot
loader attacks (such as malware that loads unauthorized operating
systems) as well.
Though Windows 8 will work on PCs with the old BIOS boot system,
Microsoft will require new PCs that carry the Windows 8
Certification to
use the UEFI boot system with the Secure Boot feature enabled by
default. This Secure Boot requirement is causing some concern
within the
PC industry and among power users, as it could complicate the
process of
using Linux distributions or dual-booting multiple operating
systems.
However, Microsoft has promised to keep boot control in users'
hands,
and the company requires system makers participating in Windows 8
Certification to offer a way for users to disable the Secure Boot
feature on PCs (but not on tablets).
Two New Password Types
Windows 8 introduces two new password types that you can use when
logging in to your Windows account: a four-digit PIN and a
"picture
password."
For the picture password, you choose a photo or image and draw
three
gestures (a combination of circles, straight lines, or
taps/clicks) in
different places to create your "password."
Windows 8 Security: What's New
Even if you decide to use these new password types, you still
must set
up a regular password. A PIN offers a faster way to log in, and
a
picture password gives you a more creative and fun way to do so.
Sometimes you'll have to enter the regular password, such as when
you
need administrative approval for changing system settings as a
standard
user, but you can log in to your account using the PIN, the
picture, or
your regular password.
Other Noteworthy Defense Measures
The enhanced Windows Defender, SmartScreen, boot system, and
password
protection are the most noticeable security improvements in
Windows 8.
But the new OS has even more system enhancements that you won't
see at
all. A few core Windows components (such as the Windows kernel,
ASLR,
and heap) have been updated to help reduce common attacks and
exploits
even further.
--
Christopher Hallsworth
To subscribe or to leave the list, or to set other subscription options, go
to www.freelists.org/list/real-eyes
To subscribe or to leave the list, or to set other subscription options, go to
www.freelists.org/list/real-eyes
Other related posts:
