[real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
- From: "Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD" <morrowka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 23 May 2012 12:49:16 +0000
The reason I don't have a great deal of faith in MicroSoft's commitment to
accessibility is because of what occurred with their complete failure to
provide accessibility to their most recent Windows operating system on cell
phones. I'm amazed that, with the new telecommunications access laws in place,
MicroSoft was able to move forward with a completely inaccessible interface.
-----Original Message-----
From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Reginald George
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:45 AM
To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
It sounds like at first that we will have access to maybe half of the operating
system. The Metro apps are anyone's guess at this point. The desktop versions
of the apps hopefully will work as before, but there are no mirror drivers
aloud. So this will effect how Jaws and Windoweyes can access information in
the off screen model such as things they need to give the best accessibility.
No one knows at this point as the screen readers are still under development.
Someone may have more specific information than I do. But I'm on the look out
for anything real that I can pass on. I think it will get much more
competitive for FS and GWMicro because we will have the same level of access as
System Access and NVDA and Narrator. No more, no less, unless I'm totally way
off base here. I'm wondering how it will effect things like basic Office
support to lose that ability to mirror the video card output. So far no one is
talking.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:01 AM
To: 'real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
And the big question is: What do the changes mean for users of screen readers?
Kim
Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD
Communications Specialist
Unity
Message of Hope Ministry
1901 NW Blue Parkway
Unity Village, MO 64065
Toll Free: 866-421-3066
Local: 816-251-3588
M-F, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (CT)
www.unity.org
-----Original Message-----
From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Reginald George
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:17 PM
To: nutkc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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
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