Vista had 30% fewer security bulletins than XPSP2 and 20% fewer vulnerabilities. A report is available with details.
Post from: ITsVISTA
Jeff Jones Security Blog : Windows Vista vs Windows XP SP2 Vulnerability Report 2007
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Written by Joe on May 15th, 2008 with no comments.
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An update version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is now available for download and it’s a perfect fit for the latest service packs for Windows Vista and Windows XP. The Redmond company releases new versions of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on the second Tuesday of each month, accompanying the availability of the Security Bulletins dropped as part of the monthly patch cycle. The updated version of MSRT is distributed via Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and is also up for grabs on the Download Center.
Microsoft has failed to emphasize the fact that MSRT integrates seamless with both Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. However, tests reveal that the tool plays well with the latest releases of the two operating systems. Vista SP1, RTM’d on February 4, 2008, was released to the general public on March 18, and XP SP3 is accessible to end users since May 6, having been released to manufacturing on April 21.
“The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%debug folder”, reads an excerpt of the tool’s description provided by Microsoft.
The Redmond company offers a 32-bit version of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool for the x86 editions of Vista, XP (including XP PS3), Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003, and a 64-bit variant for the x64 SKUs of Vista, XP (just up to SP2) and Windows 2003. According to Microsoft there are in excess of 450 million executions of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool every month.
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is available for download here.
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Written by Jason on May 14th, 2008 with no comments.
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Michael’s views on how widespread Vista bashing is, using the recent ‘Windows 2000 is safer’ hoopla as an example.
Post from: ITsVISTA
4sysops - Is Vista less secure than Windows 2000? How the Vista bashing industry works
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Written by Joe on May 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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Microsoft clears the air on the recent ‘Windows 2000 is safer than Windows Vista’ hubub. The verdict? Vista had 44% fewer infected machines than Windows 2000 SP4, and 77% fewer than Windows 2000 SP3.
Post from: ITsVISTA
Windows Vista Security : Windows Vista and Malware
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Written by Joe on May 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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Although Microsoft has hammered away at Windows XP SP3 in order to provide an experience as seamless as possible for end users when deploying the service pack, failed installation scenarios are still a valid possibility. In the eventuality of a failed installation of XP SP3 RTM, there are some troubleshooting steps end users can take before running to Microsoft Support for help. The troubleshooting methods involve nothing more than basic actions on the part of the end user and are designed to resolve an unsuccessful installation process while, at the same, time ignoring the error message.
First of all, Microsoft advises all end users to turn to Windows Update for the primary source of the gold bits of XP SP3. “Sometimes an installation is unsuccessful because a previous operation was not completed. By restarting the computer, you close any pending computer functions and restart the process. Wait until the computer finishes the restart process, and then log on to your account. Visit Windows Update to reselect and install Windows XP SP3. Click Express Install (Recommended),” Microsoft stated.
If the Windows XP machine that the end user is trying to update meets all the requirements for XP SP3 RTM, the service pack will be automatically installed. At the same time, if the WU package fails to install, users also have the possibility of manually accessing the bits for XP SP3 and then to attempt to integrate the service pack in their operating system.
There is a variety of applications that can interfere with the installation of the service pack, especially security products. “Installation failure may occur when a third-party program holds a file open or when it locks a file that the Windows XP SP3 installation program needs. To minimize this possibility, follow these steps before you install Windows XP SP3: exit any open programs, and then restart the computer. After the computer has restarted, disable any antivirus, antispyware, and third-party firewall programs that may start during the startup process,” Microsoft said.
Users will need to try to install XP SP3 again either via the standalone packages or through WU, and then turn back on all their security software. If the installation still fails, the status of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to be checked, and BITS has to be turned on.
“Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. Right-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and then click Properties. On the General tab, click Automatic in the Startup type box, and then click Apply. In the “Service status” section of the properties dialog box, verify that the BITS service is started. If it is not started, click Start. Click Apply, and then click OK,” Microsoft added.
Retrying the installation process at this point should end up in a successful deployment. In the case that XP SP3 is still not integrated, there remains only the option of clearing the Software Distribution folder and trying one last time. But if the result is the same, the end users are advised to contact Microsoft Support.
“Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. Right-click Automatic Update, and then click Stop. Click Start, click Run, and then type the following in the Open box: ‘%windir%SoftwareDistribution’. Right-click the Download folder, and then click Rename. Type Download.old, and then press ENTER. Exit Windows Explorer. In the Services console, right-click the Automatic Update service, and then click Start,” Microsoft explained.
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Written by Jason on May 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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In order to improve performance and reduce the amount of time spent waiting to view Web pages, Internet Explorer stores many of the Web pages and graphics you have viewed in a folder on your hard drive. Next time you revisit a Web site, Internet Explorer can use the content stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder to display the site content, instead of retrieving them from the Web.
You can manually clear the contents of this folder in Internet Explorer by selecting Internet Options for the Tools menu. From the General tab, simply click the Delete Files button. You can also configure Internet Explorer to empty the contents of this folder when you close your browser. To do so, select the Advanced tab from the Internet Options window. Under the Security section, select the option to Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed and click OK.
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Written by Jason on May 10th, 2008 with no comments.
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Vista escapes any security updates this month. You may see some arrive, but they are all for non-OS software like Defender or Office.
Post from: ITsVISTA
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for May 2008
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Written by Joe on May 8th, 2008 with no comments.
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Your Windows Live ID is essentially your online identity for all of the Windows Live services, Xbox Live, Zune and other third party websites (such as Expedia.com) that utilize Windows Live ID. If you're using Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, Read More......(
read more)
Written by Windows Vista Team Blog on May 5th, 2008 with no comments.
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Your Windows Live ID is essentially your online identity for all of the Windows Live services, Xbox Live, Zune and other third party websites (such as Expedia.com) that utilize Windows Live ID. If you're using Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, your Windows Live ID stores all your contacts and email messages. Your Windows Live ID is definitely something you don't want to have compromised and I've got several pointers - or best practices - in keeping your Windows Live ID safe.
Do not hand out your password! Don't give anyone your password to your Windows Live ID. Handing out your password to anyone is simply asking for trouble. Don't even give out your password to friends or family. I can't imagine a reason why they would need it. Just don't give out your Windows Live ID credentials at all.
Be careful giving your Windows Live credentials on non-Microsoft websites. There are some websites out there that will claim they "require" your Windows Live ID credentials for their service. Some sites use this tactic to gain access to your Windows Live ID.
Fact: Microsoft will only ask for your Windows Live ID credentials on login.live.com and nowhere else!
Use a strong password for your Windows Live ID. Don't use common words or names. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Don't use an obvious answer to your secret question. Microsoft provides a list of possible "secret questions" for your account. A secret question is used when you forget your password for your Windows Live ID. Choose a secret question that has an answer that people won't be able to guess (friends, family, etc). The risk you have in using a secret question with an answer your friends might be able to guess is that your friends can try to "hack" your Windows Live ID and have fun with you. Your secret answer must have 5 characters or more and is not case sensitive. Remember to remember your secret answer of course.
Added protection: make your password expire every 72 days. You can login to account.live.com and change your password for your Windows Live ID and configure it to expire every 72 days. I personally don't choose this option rather I change my password every couple weeks on my own.
Neelamadhaba Mahapatro, General Manager for Microsoft's Identity Services (including Windows Live ID) has a post over on the Windows Live Dev Blog explaining Microsoft ongoing to commitment to keeping your Windows Live ID safe and what's being done today to protect Windows Live ID users from phishing.
Written by Brandon LeBlanc on May 5th, 2008 with no comments.
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Why upgrade? Chances are you have bought something online with a credit card, used internet banking, or dealt with confidential information on your computer. If you use a wireless router with anything less than WPA2 encryption, your information may not be as secure as you think.
“WPA2 security is definitely worth the modest amount of effort required to set it up. The original WPA security standard can be cracked with relative ease unless you use a passphrase that is longer than 20 characters and is not merely composed of words that can be found in a dictionary.” [Quote from the PC World article: Wireless Tips: Your Wireless Network Needs a Security Update]
1. Check current devices for compatibility. Your router and wireless network card may already support WPA2; Google your devices and find out. If they do, download the latest drivers for your wireless network card and update the firmware on your wireless router (very easy to do, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully).
If your devices don’t support WPA2, and the security of the information transferred over your network is important to you, consider buying a wireless network card and router that support WPA2. Most recent wireless devices have WPA2 as standard.
2. Download the WPA2 Hotfix for Windows XP. This threw me when I was setting up my network. You need to download this hotfix or WPA2 will not work. It’s that simple. The hotfix is #KB893357 available from the Microsoft Web site.
3. Set a strong password for both network key and wireless router. What’s the point of all this if you set a one word password? So make it greater than 20 characters, consisting of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and obscure characters such as @ and &. Randomize it — be creative. Get your pets to walk on your keyboard. Just don’t be predictable. Pretend you’re Jack Bauer and this is a matter of national security.
4. Don’t bother with MAC filtering or Hide SSID. They add little or nothing to your security. Unless you have a specific reason for doing so, activating them generally only makes your life more stressful.
5. Use TKIP & AES encryption when selecting the encryption settings on your wireless router and on your computer; select WPA2-Personal with TKIP & AES encryption. This is a very high level of security for today’s standards.
HOT TIP: WPA2 Personal is the one to use unless you run a large enterprise.
BONUS TIP: Use the Windows Wireless Assistant built into Windows rather than the one your wireless network card came with. It generally works with less conflict and generally uses less system resources. It’s one less “Yet Another Program That Wants To Load At Startup.”
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Written by Jason on May 5th, 2008 with no comments.
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