[real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new

  • From: Jim Fettgather <jimfettgather@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 23 May 2012 12:28:16 -0500

I haven't played with Windows 8 directly, but this reminds me of the
bewilderment and confusion I felt in trying to understand the
differences between Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, it was just a complete
shift in the thought process.

I am really hoping that Narrator matures into something useful, but
I'm not holding out a lot of hope for that.

I'm actually pretty excited about Windows Phone 8, there just might be
some pretty phenomenal access, but we could see a situation where the
operating system could work well, but many apps could be completely
inaccessible.

On 5/23/12, Andrea Breier <abreier@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Yes I believe it was loaded on a desktop that I had.
>
>
>
> Hugs,
> Andrea M. Breier
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mitchell D. Lynn
> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 10:37 AM
> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
>
> I got off the upgrade treadmill a long time ago. New ain't always better:
> anyone remember Windows ME?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Duyahn Walker
> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 10:23 AM
> To: real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
>
> I still have xp. And yes, I know XP is dying out. Thing is? I can't afford
> a
> back up computer with Windows 7 on it. But by the time I get even close to
> Windows 7, 8 will be here. So what's the point?
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Reginald George" <adapt@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 8:58 AM
> Subject: [real-eyes] Re: Fw: [Windows 8 Security what's new
>
>
>> 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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