October 07, 2009 by
Jason
Confronted with increasingly bulletproofed Windows operating systems, the threat environment shifted toward targeting vulnerabilities in the code designed to run on top of the platform. With security enhancements such as User Account Control, Address Space Layout Randomization, Kernel Patch Protection and driver signing, but also with the new development methodology set in place via the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle, vulnerabilities in Windows Vista and its successor Windows 7 have become harder to exploit, in the eventuality that attackers do come across critical security holes.
The biggest advantage in terms of security Vista and Windows 7 have over precursor Windows clients is the Security Development Lifecycle. And with the threat environment changing focus onto third-party Windows applications, Microsoft is ready to share the SDL secrets with third-party developers. An illustrative example in this regard is the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL): Developer Starter Kit.
“The Microsoft SDL – Developer Starter Kit offers content, labs, and training to help you establish a standardized approach to rolling out the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) in your organization—or enrich your existing development practices,” Microsoft revealed.
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Posted in Windows 7 | No Comments »
September 27, 2009 by
Jason The final version of Microsoft’s Security Essentials (codename Morro), the basic security solution the Redmond company is working on delivering for Windows, is expected to become available in a matter of weeks, at least this is what the software giant announced on Sunday in a note sent to beta testers. The MSE solution should come to the company’s client as the replacement for Windows Live OneCare, which will end its life cycle as soon as the new security software arrives.
“The final version of Microsoft Security Essentials will be released to the public in the coming weeks. If you are running the older version of the beta (1.0.1407.0), we encourage you to upgrade to a newer version of the beta (1.0.1500.0),” is what Microsoft reportedly said to the participants to its beta testing program. Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 beta went live officially on June 23 this year, and we’ve already seen a series of updates leaked on the web and made available for download.
According to some estimations there are more than 400,000 beta testers for Morro out there, with 75,000 people downloading the Security Essentials during the first day of public availability, thus allowing Microsoft to reach its aimed number of testers in only a day. The final version of Microsoft’s new security solutions is expected to come to Windows users for free, offering them an alternative to paid antivirus software in case they are unable to purchase such a solution. Read More»
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January 01, 2009 by
Jason A couple of updates is all that it takes for occasional stop errors affecting Windows XP-based computers to not be a nuisance at all. According to Microsoft, all versions of Windows XP, including Service Pack 3, can return a stop error message that kills the restart process. However, the company emphasized that the issues were occasional at best, and that, in this context, end-users might not even come across the restart failures. Still, when it comes down to reboot cycling tests, the problems are more likely to occur.
“When you restart a Windows XP-based computer, you may receive one of the following Stop error messages: Stop 0×00000050 (parameter1, 00000000, parameter3, 0×00000000) – PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA and Stop 0×0000008E (0xc0000005, parameter2, parameter3, 0×00000000) – KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED,” Microsoft explained. “The parameters in these Stop error messages may vary, depending on the actual configuration. The symptoms of a Stop error may vary, depending on your computer’s system failure options.” Read More»
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October 22, 2008 by
Jason The Security Development Lifecycle is in no way synonymous with Microsoft’s entire span of efforts designed to bulletproof its software products and consumer environments. An illustrative example of this is the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 4.0. Built as the evolution of Microsoft Security Risk Self-Assessment Tool (MSRSAT) dating back to 2004 and that of the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 2.0 dropped in 2006, the Security Assessment Tool 4.0 is a free download which will integrate seamlessly with Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 in order to evaluate the level of risk in an IT infrastructure and provide the necessary best practices data and guidance.
“The tool employs a holistic approach to measuring your security posture by covering topics across people, process, and technology. Findings are coupled with prescriptive guidance and recommended mitigation efforts, including links to more information for additional industry guidance. These resources may assist you in keeping you aware of specific tools and methods that can help change the security posture of your IT environment. Read More»
Posted in Windows Vista, Windows XP | No Comments »
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