Saturday, September 02, 2006

BBC: Windows Vista may prove open-source more secure


Fascinating analysis from IT Business Edge that posits Microsoft's strategy of freezing out third-party security vendors may be hazardous to its health:

Last week Redmond released security patches for Windows Vista Beta, and the media was all over it, pointing to the fact that it was the first time Microsoft had patched a beta release...

Most surmise that it results from the fact... [the] new OS may have locked out other security vendors. Microsoft’s Kernel Patch Guard, which will ship with Vista, prevents the kernel from being modified in any way which, in turn, will prevent most antivirus software from doing its job.

In a BBC News column, tech commentator Bill Thompson points out that Redmond may be writing its own death warrant with the new approach... For the first time..., users will be able to determine for themselves whether completely closed source software development or open source software development produces a more secure OS. And if open source comes out on top, Redmond won’t be able to look anywhere but in the mirror.

IT Business Edge: Windows Vista Could Prove Open Source More Secure

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