Security firms complain about monopoly tactics.
New security features to be included in the next version of
Microsoft Windows
continue to present difficulties for AV and other security software vendors. With the first full release of
Vista
expected soon, and the home user version due in the new year,
Symantec
is sending representatives to Europe to lobby the EU on the issue, in hopes that the monopolies commission may force
Microsoft
into making the new system more open to competitive security software.
Symantec
‘s main worry is the inclusion of the
Windows Security Center
in the new version of the OS. Although it will be possible to disable the security control and monitoring system manually, no method has been made available for other firms to deactivate it as part of installing their own software. Warnings have been issued that
Microsoft
having too much control over what is considered a security issue may in itself be a security issue, while others have said that publishing a way to automatically switch off the protection could be playing into hackers’ hands.
Other potential problems with
Vista
include the possibility that the kernel may be protected, which could prevent AV and other on-access monitors from intercepting file access. The infamous
Blue Pill
rootkit, capable of totally concealing malicious activity under
Vista
, has yet to be protected against.
Joining
Symantec
in Europe are representatives from
Adobe
, who fear the inclusion of PDF software in
Vista
will eat into their business.
Symantec
is also in a legal battle with
Microsoft
over alleged use of its
Veritas
technology in
Vista
.
Posted on 22 September 2006 by
Virus Bulletin
Leave a Reply