[real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
- From: blindbites <blindbites@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 23 May 2012 09:08:30 -0500
I'm never in a hurry to switch operating systems. I like to wait at
least a year and let those first set of bugs and security holes get
worked out. This also gives the screen reader companies time to get
things working smoothly.
Some people will run out there, install that newest beta, install the
most recent update to a program just because it has a new number or
letter after the name, only to find out it doesn't do what someone needs
it to do and at the worst, messes everything up. Sure, its exciting to
be on the edge of the latest and greatest, but that comes with a price.
Steve
On 5/23/2012 8:58 AM, Reginald George wrote:
> And you should be worried. Someone said Windows 8 is like bolting a toaster
> on to a refrigerator. It's their phone/tablet operating system, and their
> desktop operating system, all mashed together.
>
> I haven't read this anywhere, but I think the new Narrator stole a lot of
> it's command structure directly from Voiceover on the Mac because you can't
> patent a keyboard lay-out. I'm glad you can't, but I think it's funny.
> Maybe Jim has played with both and can say better. I don't know if the
> exact commands are the same, but they use windows alt just like the mac uses
> command and option or whatever, and you have this whole concept of
> interacting with elements or not. From the podcast I heard Narrator was not
> working very well on the internet at all, and it was very complicated just
> to navigate through web pages on a basic level. Of course updates are
> coming out all the time, and it's still in beta. I believe there is already
> a blind windows 8 list, and I'm thinking of joining it. It will all be very
> interesting to watch, but I'm sure in no hurry to switch.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kimberly A. Morrow, PhD
> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:49 AM
> To: 'real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
>
> 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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