Zone Labs jumps on new Windows security API, but do we need more?

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Incremental security step

From the article:
According to Microsoft's Sullivan, only 10 percent of Windows users have a personal firewall on their systems. In the interview, he said Microsoft had to ask itself, "What can we do to make sure that this system right out of the box is as rock solid as we can make it, so that the user doesn't have to do anything?"

Reading the prior comments, it's worth writing again: Windows gets the group of pc users who are interested only in plugging in the machine and having it do something. Whether because of fear of technology or the feeling that computers are declasse (beneath the user's social class), these people do not want to have to do any maintenance.
How large is this group? From all I've read, I'd estimate about 80% of users. They want to treat the computer like a refrigerator, and they are the "average Joe".

For one thing, this means even if Windows were on a smaller percentage of pc's in use, they still would account for a disproportionate share of malware/spyware problems. Why? Because the less savvy people will stick with Windows. It's made for them.

As the quote shows, Microsoft knows its market. When Mr. Sullivan says, "... so that the user doesn't have to do anything." he means exactly that. It's Microsoft against the malware, and they can't expect much help from users.

That's also why any Microsoft firewall/AV product is not as devastating as some fear. The market Microsoft would get are people who don't care to download even a free product. Anyone who cares will go to the specialist.

Anyway, this is the security situation which we have to expect to continue. Even those who oppose Microsoft should applaud every small step they take. It's the web's best defense because it's just about the only defense the web has.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 08/09/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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