Microsoft Vista is Not So Secure!
Techtree News Staff, Dec 26, 2006 1432 hrs IST
Computer security researchers and hackers have already begun spotting potentially serious flaws in Microsoft's Windows Vista system...
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According to reports, computer security researchers and hackers have begun spotting potentially serious flaws in Microsoft's Windows Vista system that was released to corporate customers late last month.
During the Christmas weekend, a Silicon Valley-based security firm said it notified Microsoft about another flaw it found, plus five other vulnerabilities, including one serious bug in the software code underlying the IE 7 browser. The firm said the browser flaw could result in Web users getting infected with malicious software simply by visiting booby-trapped Web sites.
California-based Determina, a vendor of anti-vulnerability software, added that the browser flaw could make it possible for attackers to inject rogue software into Vista-based computers.
Microsoft said on its Web site that the company is closely monitoring the vulnerability described by the Russian programmer. In a statement, Microsoft said that as of now, they have not observed any public exploitation or attack activity based on this flaw.
A Microsoft spokeswoman said the company is also investigating the browser flaw, and that as of now, they are not aware of any attacks attempting to use this flaw.
According to sources at Determina, the browser flaw, by itself, can permit damage such as information theft, etc,
But, the 'sandbox' software in IE 7 would control damage even if a malicious program were to subvert the operation of the browser.
However, according to Determina, when coupled with the ability of the first flaw, it might be possible to circumvent the 'sandbox' controls and alter files, and potentially permanently infect a target computer.
All in all, Determina warns people not to get complacent as the company expects a rash of Vista bugs to pop up in the next six months to one year.
Ironically, Microsoft has spent hundreds of millions in branding Vista as the most secure product they've ever produced, and is depending on Vista to help turn the tide against a wave of software attacks now plaguing Windows-based computers.
USER COMMENTS
hey praji kuch papd ghee bhi loge ya khali service pack karoge microsoft ke chakkar mein kahan pad gaye papad khao praji
by papadkha, detroit, on Apr 30, 2007 12:09 AM, Report abuse
Windows seriously sucks.whenever i connect a LAN cable this thing goes so damn slow i cant even start the task manager.what kind of uselessly slow os is this?if it can't run even normally on a pentium 4 computer how did MS have the guts to say that minimum requirement is 400 Mhz CPU?what sort of nonsense is this?and if u ask me why not switchover to linux wake up:most of the games available in stores work on Windows.thats why i'm hopelessly stuck or i would have switched long back.
by Sandeep, Chennai, on Jan 01, 2007 06:03 PM, Report abuse Reply
@Sandeep Try Cedega- its really awesome, or if u dont wanna pay there's always Wine though Cedega's in a different league.
by Linux_Lover, Kolkata, on Jan 08, 2007 04:38 PM, Report abuse
in simple terms vista is XP with a different skin and loads of people are paying for it its stupid microsoft need to get off there arses and write the software properly rather than only half doing the job
by Matthew O'Grady, leicester, on Dec 26, 2006 07:12 PM, Report abuse Reply
Actually, Vista is based on Windows 2000 Archetecture. Good use of information.
by Anonymous, Winnerville, on Jan 06, 2007 02:25 AM, Report abuse
ohhh..microsoft got fired again
by steve, tvm, on Dec 27, 2006 01:53 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Chuckles, LAX, on Dec 27, 2006 01:56 PM, Report abuse
by fgf, dfg, on Dec 29, 2006 09:38 AM, Report abuse
so I guess since MS hasn't yet seen a public attack it's not really a problem? what is the purpose of that statement from them? lol "Ironically, Microsoft has spent hundreds of millions in branding Vista as the most secure product they've ever produced, and is depending on Vista to help turn the tide against a wave of software attacks now plaguing Windows-based computers. " A/V, Anti Spyware and user common sense has been stopping all of those since long before Vista was even in Beta.. Why do we need Vista and a whole new slew of bugs and exploits to stop it? Wake the hell up Microsoft, look around, just because you don't own a company doesn't mean their programmers can't fix your mistakes, embrace them and work with them and quit trying to own and destroy evreything in the world that is not Microsoft. If you were perfect people wouldn't buy other products, so someday, soon, please realize you are not perfect and quit acting like you are and being such a bully to the majority of the non MS world... It's not that difficult a concept to follow, really.
by ganst, woodbridge, VA, on Dec 26, 2006 03:25 PM, Report abuse Reply
You are definitely "NOT" one of their employees!
by Anonymous, Bothell, on Dec 26, 2006 04:35 PM, Report abuse
Keep shouting, keep fuming, and keep using MS products and in case u think u r too geeky use Linux or anything else in this world. You seem like a very mature and technical person! Go ahead!!! As if I care a bit!!!
by Rahul, Texas, on Dec 26, 2006 09:15 PM, Report abuse
rahul... thats the same reply i have.. you are the man..
by vishnu, Calicut, on Dec 28, 2006 09:58 PM, Report abuse
techtree should have checked this out before writing such an article: http://www.betanews.com/article/Is_Vista_Really_BugPlagued_as_the_NY_Times_Claims/1167176211
by Anonymous Cowar, Earth, on Dec 28, 2006 01:02 AM, Report abuse Reply
To all those ppl putting down linux/unix/osx in general..have any of you ever spent a decent amount of time using any of these OS's? i personally hate macs..but osx is so far ahead of windows its ridiculous to even compare. as for linux, instead of shooting from the hip, get a modern distro such as ubuntu, fedora, suse or mepis and then tell me that windows is genuinely better to use. I still cannot get over the fact that windows sorts programs alphabetically, all those ppl complaining about the user- friendliness of linux i challenge you to explain that!!!!
by Navir, Mumbai, on Dec 27, 2006 11:28 PM, Report abuse Reply
It is almost impossible to create a totally secure generally used OS, so what's all the fuss? Some of you make it sound like you can do it. Whatever you think of Microsoft, it is thanks to the company that software and PC development has progressed in bounds in the last so many years. If it wasn't for the animals out there creating junkware to infect people's PCs, would there be a need for over-secure PCs? Is your car so secure it can't be stolen? Is your home so secure it can't be broken into? Even banks get robbed, with all the billions they expend on security. Absolute security is a myth, so some of you need to get with the programme and stop whining like babies. 419 thrives because some dummies are greedy enough to respond to the calls. MS is what it is today because the alternative can't think deeply enough to get their products out there. Let them figure it out, instead of pampering them and bashing MS. Yeah, I also work for MS. Everybody with a contrarian view does.
by Stranger, City, on Dec 26, 2006 06:45 PM, Report abuse Reply
Reality is that of course nothing is perfect. No need to bash the bashers. What I don't understand is that when has any software company released a new version of software and not have to create a patch for some unforseen issue. The great thing about choice is that if you don't like something you can always go to the competitor. No need to get upset about it.
by mac and pc guy, nowhere, on Dec 26, 2006 08:20 PM, Report abuse
MS is what it is today? LOL...You need to get a serious grip on reality and stop kissing up to MS just because they pay your rent. OSX destroys vista...Case closed.
by Mario, bronx, on Dec 26, 2006 08:36 PM, Report abuse
To justify a process that builds in thousands of preventable flaws as somehow acceptable is both incompetent and reckless. My car and money are insured, but software has no such guarantees (and states so on the box). This needs to change, and software manufacturers held accountable for their grossly inept development practices which result in loss to their customers.
by poobear, redmond, on Dec 26, 2006 11:45 PM, Report abuse
To justify a process that builds in thousands of preventable flaws as somehow acceptable is both incompetent and reckless. My car and money are insured, but software has no such guarantees (and states so on the box). This needs to change, and software manufacturers held accountable for their grossly inept development practices which result in loss to their customers. p.s. Im not at all surprised that you work for MS.
by zap, redmond, on Dec 26, 2006 11:48 PM, Report abuse
The problems are not the security flaws as much as the marketing that microsoft push. They want the naive customers to believe that they are safe and this is the real threat. Because using only common sense they can avoid about 90% of the malware but if they believe that the os protect them they might engage into unsafe surfing !
by Marcotte, Sherbrooke, on Dec 27, 2006 01:35 AM, Report abuse
by shahnawaz, Mumbai, on Dec 27, 2006 11:06 AM, Report abuse
To Mario from bronx: Hey Mario! What's up? It's me,Vito!
by Vito, bronx, on Dec 27, 2006 02:00 PM, Report abuse
I fully agree. The only computer system that is 100% secure is a computer system that does absolutely nothing.
by Robert, Cape Town, on Dec 27, 2006 04:16 PM, Report abuse
Papa, either put on your pants or COME BACK IN THE HOUSE!
by Mama, Brooklyn, on Dec 27, 2006 01:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
Determina, shmetermina! We demand the facts! THE PEOLPE HAVE A right TO KNOW!! And that ain't hay...
by Papa "Big Balls, Brooklyn, on Dec 27, 2006 01:45 PM, Report abuse Reply
As someone that has worked in the industry since 1978, including 6 years (and over a million bucks, thanks Mr. Bill) at Microsoft, I will tell you exactly what the problem is: Microsoft hasn?t a clue how to hire competent software developers. They have a misguided idea of what constitutes competence. Their silly questions in interviews, and shoot-from-the-hip programming questions for example, do not isolate the careful security conscious and knowledgeable developer. In fact, it promotes the hiring of code slingers and developers whose only knowledge of computer science is writing of programs. The vast majority haven?t the slightest idea of even how Windows itself works, let alone the threats poised against it. If they want to rid themselves of these endless bugs they need to start canning the so-called developers behind them, and learn how to hire competent people.
by poobear, redmond, on Dec 26, 2006 11:26 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Mikey, Baston, Mass, on Dec 27, 2006 01:36 PM, Report abuse
Right on, Mikey! Sounds like sour grapes.
by Jim Bones, Swamplake GA, on Dec 27, 2006 01:40 PM, Report abuse
Microsoft rules; everybody else drools!! Try using that stupid MAC or Linux if you don't like Windows! Who cares, really? If you are too dumb to properly use a computer then you don't need it to begin with. Geez!
by Anonymous_TN, Nashville, on Dec 26, 2006 08:37 PM, Report abuse Reply
You are the stupid Windows user! You never use a Mac or a Linux right? Only a stupid person would use Windows if given a choice!
by Anonymous, , on Dec 26, 2006 08:56 PM, Report abuse
Mac Users, Totally clueless intelo who think that because mac is extremly expensive it is better if you want Linux , why not use the real thing.,. MacOS is just a very bad port linux that run on over price hardware. And as far as i am concern, linux as make progress but it is still light year of been use freindly. Every single hacker is out there punching Vista, of course there will be bugs... but just 1/100 of those hacker the MaxOS case and that pathetic OS will crash and burn like no other. Mac is/as alway/will always be a piece of junk... Only riche (and very stupid people) are using it PERIOD
by Enzo Matrix, Penticton, on Dec 27, 2006 12:32 PM, Report abuse
yous is all a bunch a chowderheads,anyhow.
by Mikey, Baston, Mass, on Dec 27, 2006 01:32 PM, Report abuse
to Mario from bronx: MacOs is just extrem low tech piece of junk. The Rotten Apple as tried everything to make peoples buy they GROSSLY OVERPRICE computer and no mather what... people where still buying PC's because Apple NEVER HAD A REAL OS. In there lastest attempt to grap market share they came with the best inovation yet! a MAC that can run windows!!! Give a fews more years and Apple will just be a generic PC seller. Apple should has die years ago.. they gues there is always enough idiots to keep it alive.... Buy a Mac, get a false felling of been secure and secretly install boot camp and run XP
by Enzo Matrix, Penticton, on Dec 27, 2006 12:22 PM, Report abuse Reply
Vista bloat is a bigger gripe. I am slowly migrating to Ubuntu (Linux) and I don't see any reason why everyone else can't. At office I use MS, but that's a whole another ball game. For home PC, Linux apps are getting better and better. Especially in multi-media, which I believe is the last MS bastion.
by Ubuntu, Ubuntu, on Dec 27, 2006 12:05 PM, Report abuse Reply
Microsoft should change their stratergy,a new OS from MS doesn't means that putting a new look and feel to their existing OS.They should have atleast tried to give people a technically competent safe and secure OS based on their industry experience.
by sree, Bangalore, on Dec 27, 2006 10:12 AM, Report abuse Reply
Ironically, hundreds of millions of anti-vulnerability software posted a description of a flaw attempting to use this flaw. and is depending Windows-based people not to circumvent the 'sandbox' Vista bugs to control damage of software attacks according to Determina by visiting booby-trapped Web sites.
by IE 7 browser, Determina, on Dec 26, 2006 05:32 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Grammar Patrol, CIA Headquarters, on Dec 27, 2006 09:10 AM, Report abuse
Who cares, bring on the interns.
by Bill Clinton, Washington, on Dec 26, 2006 09:39 PM, Report abuse Reply
We are all of the blue; dressing gown from now?
by Poon Tang, Bangcock, on Dec 27, 2006 08:51 AM, Report abuse
Need more information regarding windows vista security and how its going to effect the system security.
by sravani, hyderabad, on Dec 27, 2006 08:25 AM, Report abuse Reply
Why it is no already clear of being that loosing! All are soon to effect of there and so?
by Poon Tang, Bangcock, on Dec 27, 2006 08:47 AM, Report abuse
I see you no want to answer then so! I think all you is one too! of course so?
by Poon Tang, Bangcock, on Dec 27, 2006 08:03 AM, Report abuse Reply
by Poon Tang, Bangcock, on Dec 27, 2006 07:51 AM, Report abuse Reply
You are all small braining for all of these today so. I want ran Lunicks on them Mackuntash! Eet all the ruled!
by Poon Tang, Bangcock, on Dec 27, 2006 07:48 AM, Report abuse Reply
Vista is Crap...!!!!!!!!!!! I've used both x64 & x86.. Bull$hit.. No software support etc. I'm using 64Bit Processor since last 1n1/2 year w/ 32Bit OS M$WinSexP... I purchased this proc. for future use so no need to upgrade but now we are at stage where future is left behind by nxtgen technology... Why they create such things stupid things for past...!!!
by Kalpesh, Surat, on Dec 27, 2006 07:24 AM, Report abuse Reply
Not taking my comments - so testing
by Pollux, BLR, on Dec 26, 2006 05:01 PM, Report abuse Reply
It's because ur using Linux or a MAC..
by Vista, Rules, on Dec 27, 2006 05:52 AM, Report abuse
To be honest I love Microsoft they have provided me with much entertainment and fun over the years with there OS's and there software their flaws are ok by my rational I have never experienced much heartache due to them and when I have it's either been a fun challenge fixing a problem or a fresh install so KUDOS to BILL
by Bill, Gates, on Dec 27, 2006 05:44 AM, Report abuse Reply
Someone's gotta tell Steve Ballmer to GET ON THE BALL... bwahahahahahahaha!
by Steve Cleaver, Frodo, NZ, on Dec 27, 2006 03:17 AM, Report abuse Reply
I'll wait a year or two to try Vista - XP works just fine for me and I don't need to give MS any more money - Face it - No one really NEEDS Vista and the headaches it will cause.
by Wolfie, Anywhere, on Dec 27, 2006 01:25 AM, Report abuse Reply
techtree stop being like those idiots at slashdot.org and be reasonable, change the title, its just 1 flaw and you are making a statement on the whole of Vista, how about putting up articles on linux and osx flaws and naming them linux not so secure or osx not so secure. stop running the site otherwise
by anonymous cowar, anywhere, on Dec 26, 2006 11:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
Heck at the rate Linux distros and Mac OSX are showing little cracks it should not come as any surprise that Vista has a great big freakin' Space Shuttle sized door built into it.
by Mathue, Dublin, on Dec 26, 2006 10:53 PM, Report abuse Reply
As I can see Vista is the same garbage as all the previous Windows editions. With the difference that you need a new machine to run it.
by Alien M., Washington, DC, on Dec 26, 2006 10:11 PM, Report abuse Reply
every ones knows microsoft dont make things perfect in 1st attemt. They always have something major to work on after oficiall release and i am sure even years on working with vista we will see that.
by Yasir, Toronto, on Dec 26, 2006 09:26 PM, Report abuse Reply
what vista im still running 3.1 no bugs here
by oldtimer, ny, on Dec 26, 2006 09:10 PM, Report abuse Reply
I am thinking maybe just maybe they should have thought about putting out Vista. Like maybe a few more test.
by Shawn M Crowell, Utica, NY, on Dec 26, 2006 08:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
So, let's raise our mouses (meese?) in a toast to Linux -- long may it succeed. And another toast to Sun with its Office software, free for the downloading.
by Harv, Dallas, on Dec 26, 2006 08:30 PM, Report abuse Reply
I do not work for Microsoft, but understand the efforts that they made to find bugs prior to Vista release. I, and thousands of others, have spent 1 year as Vista Beta testers, trying to find bugs, etc. Two comments: 1. Don't believe what you read in the media about Microsoft's response...they take all inputs seriously...they did mine. 2. If you don't trust the Vista OS, why are you considering running it. Move on!
by Greg Fiore, Longbboat Key, Fl, on Dec 26, 2006 08:21 PM, Report abuse Reply
Isn't the Russian programmer's hack used to unock more features in Vista. Make Home turn into Ultimate? It is understandible why MS is focussing more on that than other issues. It cuts directly into their profit margins.
by Anonymous, d, on Dec 26, 2006 08:11 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Mridontcare, Idontcareville, on Dec 26, 2006 08:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
i will be keeping windows XP,as it seems to be more secure than vista.back to the drawing board boys!!!!!!!!1
by david campbell, troon, on Dec 26, 2006 08:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
Just think positively. We are fighting Bill Gates when he gave us Microsoft, which I equate with productivity, functionality and usability. Why are we so mad at him? Did he stole money from us? In fact, we stole software from him when we buy pirated copied programs, of course I also use pirated programs which made me a stealer also. But, in spite of that, I'm still thankful of him. He may monopolize the computer world but he also helped people through employment and medicine. Just look at yourself ... YOU, RIGHT YOU WHO CLAIMS TO BE BETTER THAN HIM! did you do better than BILL GATES! Its not Bill Gates that so should be angry but to the people who makes this MALWARES Exists?
by Aylmer Arellon, Philippines, on Dec 26, 2006 06:46 PM, Report abuse Reply
All in the favor of Mac OS X .. raise your hands now. ... lol
by MaxAxe, mukesh_maurya@hotmail.com, on Dec 26, 2006 06:31 PM, Report abuse Reply
Oh my God!!! Has anyone told Bill Gates about this problem yet??? He will be so pissed when he finds out.
by Herman Muffter, Ceasar Salad Plaza, on Dec 26, 2006 05:42 PM, Report abuse Reply
Personally, I would rather spend my money on a nice expensive dinner on the Riviera than waste it on a vista package.
by William Not Pri, Waldorf, on Dec 26, 2006 05:37 PM, Report abuse Reply
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iam using vista but i have one problem that is (after instalation it is not even installing the display drivers of intel 8280 chipset but in winxp service pack 2 its is installing by defaulf
by Abdul Mannan kh, hyderabad india, on Dec 26, 2006 06:43 PM, Report abuse Reply