last seen 1 hour 4 min agoD'oh !
This taken from: Neowin.net
While this may seem like any standard security hole, other researchers say that the work is a major breakthrough and there is very little that Microsoft can do to fix the problems. These attacks work differently than other security exploits, as they aren't based on any new Windows vulnerabilities, but instead take advantage of the way Microsoft chose to guard Vista's fundamental architecture. According to Dino Dai Zovi, a popular security researcher, "the genius of this is that it's completely reusable. They have attacks that let them load chosen content to a chosen location with chosen permissions. That's completely game over.
My translation for beginners:
Yet ANOTHER giant hole in Microsoft's "most secure OS ever" ....
Scoreboard refresher:
Current/In the wild viri/Spyware/security holes:
- Windows (2000/XP/Vista): 5,000,000 (or more ?)
- Linux/Unix: ? zero? (someone post a comment and let us know)
- Mac OS X: ONE? oh, wait, that was 'proof of concept only and has been closed.. ZERO
No OS is 100% bulletproof.. Some are just closer than others..
I don't own a system with Vista yet but I've worked on them. There are some things that bug me, but I like the eye candy. I'm getting the same feeling as I got when ME came out...
Interesting IT Dojo poll:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=156
With 92 percent of the vote, Windows XP is still the clear favorite among the end users of those who answered the poll. Windows Vista was the second most-prevalent Windows version with four percent of the responses. Windows 2000 followed closely with three percent. And, Windows 95 (or earlier), Windows 98, and Windows Me accounted for only one percent of responses.
Although I wasn’t surprised by Windows XP’s dominance in our poll, I was surprised by the extremely low response for Windows Vista. More than a year after Vista’s release, Microsoft still struggles to counter the operating system’s lackluster image. Microsoft is finally starting to address Vista’s image problem, but as IT departments already look ahead to Windows 7, it might be too late to save Vista.
I really don't mind Vista. It sure is purdy compared to XP, just not as fast! Vista is my primary OS for web browsing and such, but I still find myself using XP for gaming and some older apps. Looks like the days of XP are numbered. This was in the September '08 issue of MAXIMUM PC:
Windows XP Gone, Sort Of
Manufacturers say MS is turning the screws on OS availability
As of June 30, Microsoft has pulled the plug on the retail life of the Windows XP operating system, but like a zombie that refuses to go quietly, XP will still be offered to OEM manufacturers through January 31, 2009.
According to Dell, Microsoft is mandating that XP downgrades occur only on enterprise, business, and gaming machines – for the privilege, Dell will tack on an additional $20 fee to the price of the system.
Microsoft denies the allegations, insisting that anyone with Windows Vista Business or Ultimate is eligible for the downgrade. MS also maintains that it is not forcing retailers to limit consumers’ options for downgrading based on system builds.
Don't worry if you currently have XP installed, though. Microsoft says it will continue to support the OS through 2014.
I have both XP and Vista at home, and I honestly still prefer XP. I also like the eye candy of Vista, but there are a lot of things lacking on it. It just needs more time, I think. I mean, XP was a headache for me when it first came out, but I got the hang of if.
I also have XP and Vista. Some things on Vista I do like better but it does take some getting use to. The poll doesn't surprise me to much since XP was out there for so long. I think Vista got a bad rap in the beginning since it was so different and ppl were scared to use it. I'm in the process of building a new pc and its going to be vista and I'm also in the process of having 2 more gaming rigs built for my kids (did one last year) for their birthdays in Nov. and both of them are going to be XP so my house will have a nice mix (my laptop is vista).
From the website:
>>>This feat was achieved by taking advantage of the way that Internet Explorer (and other browsers) handle active scripting in the Operating System.
To be sure, Apple is doing it all it can in taking down Windows OS's. If you look closely, there is a conspiracy afoot. The impeccable timing of cramming Safari and all it's related vulnerbilites down Windows users throats suggests that this is the case.
Seriously, if you work enough with all operating systems, you will fly the same flag I do.
"All OS's Suck !!!"
Sorry Hubby. I'll atttempt to keep my "bias" under wrap in the future.
This goes back to me telling my wife about why I didn't want a Vista computer. I just don't like it or trust it. Just another reason our next computer will be a Mac. (Aside from the Linux stuff I'm playing with.)
I don't want to die without any scars.
I currently have Windows Vista...I'm actually not loving it and have noticed a few things here and there that have worried me...although I am not prepared to go the way of the Mac just yet...
"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."
Many scoff at the carefree and "arrogant" ways of Mac users - but you know what they say: Once you go Mac, you wont go back ! ..and they say that for a reason.. actually, many reasons...
I hear what you're sayin' Hubby but Windows hasn't been all bad to me. But these newer versions- Ahhh!!!...I will not give up just yet...
"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."