91% of computers are using Windows; 72% of these computers are running Windows XP. Quite obvious that Windows XP is still the popular operating system but this popularity is coming to an end because the end of life of Windows XP is near. Microsoft is saying goodbye to XP and published a letter for their XP customers.
Now that XP’s support is coming to an end, I think all users including businesses should “plan & prevent” by improving your security position in the face of the threats mentioned on reports by vendors and researchers:
- Microsoft Security Intelligence Reports, Volumes
3 and 4 shows that the infection rate for Windows Vista computers is 60.5% less than that of Windows XP SP2 users. It means there is lower malware infection rate in using Windows Vista. This is because Windows Vista has built-in Anti-Spyware (Note: Anti-virus is not enough to protect your business. You need to add anti-spyware or anti-malware), User Account Control (UAC), Two way Firewall with Advanced Security, Kernel Patch Protection for x64 Windows, IE7 with Protected Mode and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR).
- Symantec reported that Vista is much more resistant to malware on the kernel level (PDF), no kernel-based rootkits were able to successfully install themselves and that malware is less effective (PDF) when executed on Windows Vista because the default user type in Vista is a Standard User and majority of the malware targets Windows XP and previous versions of Windows.
- Of 30 rootkits tested by AVTest.org, only 6 rootkits could run on Vista if UAC is turned off (PDF). Note: UAC is enabled by default.
- Microsoft’s Anti-Malware Engineering Team mentioned in their blog (note: their new blog address is here) that even if a malware was successfully installed on Vista with UAC enabled, it will not be able to persist a system restart. This allows your business computers with Vista to clean the system or recover.
There is no silver bullet and I don’t think Windows Vista is a security solution, but it is certainly a better supported operating system for your personal and business use.
You can test drive Vista without installing it or evaluate Vista on your PC for 30 days. Take advantage of Software Assurance through Open Value or Open Value Subscription.
In the said letter by Microsoft to XP customers, Windows 7’s availability was mentioned. They plan to release
Windows 7 approximately 3 years after the general availability launch date of Windows Vista, January 2007. If you are interested with Windows 7, getting Vista now with 3 years of Software Assurance thru
Open Value, you will have Software Upgrade Protection in addition to BitLocker, Multi-language interface, 4 Virtual Desktop Operating System licenses and many more.