EU Asks Microsoft to Remove Vista Security Features

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Heh all I keep hearing is people pissing and moaning about the security features of Vista interfering with people using the OS.

So you have Microsoft getting blasted for lack of security, then they create an OS from the ground up with security in mind and they get blasted for making it too annoying.

We want our cake and eat it too.

 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
That's lame. There only reason is they want third parties to make that software? What about the fact that most third party software doing that work sucks? It's like the Real case. If their software wasn't crap, then people might use it.
 

f95toli

Golden Member
Nov 21, 2002
1,547
0
0
Originally posted by: Strk
That's lame. There only reason is they want third parties to make that software? What about the fact that most third party software doing that work sucks? It's like the Real case. If their software wasn't crap, then people might use it.

Hopefully most people DO use third party anit-virus and firewall software. The integrated firewall in XP was crap until SP2 (and it is still not good). The problem with Vista according to some reports is that companies like Symantec literally have to hack th OS in order to be able to install their own products (at least accoring to an interview I saw a few days ago).
I.e. it is not only a question of Microsoft delivering their own firewall with Vista, the problem is also that Vista is designed in such a way that 3rd party security software will be very hard to use and/or ineffective.
 

imported_dna

Golden Member
Aug 14, 2006
1,755
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What's wrong with the SP2 firewall?
It does the work that most people need done. Stuff from Symantec is usually more bloat than useful functionality.
 

Banzai042

Senior member
Jul 25, 2005
489
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As long as people have the ability to install other security options if they want them then there is 0 problem with vista having security features out the wazoo, but to ask that microsoft not have security features at all is legislating that microsoft not correct one of the single most common complaints with their operating systems. What's next, legislating that the mac os not be as secure so that people need to buy 3rd party security software for mac as well?
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Genx87
Heh all I keep hearing is people pissing and moaning about the security features of Vista interfering with people using the OS.

So you have Microsoft getting blasted for lack of security, then they create an OS from the ground up with security in mind and they get blasted for making it too annoying.

We want our cake and eat it too.

It's not security, it is full control of your PC by Microsoft.

You and the rest of your kind may be happy with that but people that like freedom do not.
 

Extelleron

Diamond Member
Dec 26, 2005
3,127
0
71
Honestly, when I was using the Vista Beta (for about a month) I did feel (at certain times) Microsoft was telling me how to run my PC, and not the other way around. There's always a way to override the OS, but Vista feels the need to bug you every few seconds, telling you that your computer isn't secure.

 

ntdz

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
6,989
0
0
Originally posted by: Extelleron
Honestly, when I was using the Vista Beta (for about a month) I did feel (at certain times) Microsoft was telling me how to run my PC, and not the other way around. There's always a way to override the OS, but Vista feels the need to bug you every few seconds, telling you that your computer isn't secure.

Because it's just so difficult to disable security center notifications...
 

imported_dna

Golden Member
Aug 14, 2006
1,755
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Most users are stupid, and need to be protected from themselves, especially when they try to install this or that program to get some free icons, or a neat screen saver.
 

Extelleron

Diamond Member
Dec 26, 2005
3,127
0
71
Originally posted by: ntdz
Originally posted by: Extelleron
Honestly, when I was using the Vista Beta (for about a month) I did feel (at certain times) Microsoft was telling me how to run my PC, and not the other way around. There's always a way to override the OS, but Vista feels the need to bug you every few seconds, telling you that your computer isn't secure.

Because it's just so difficult to disable security center notifications...

I don't care what you say, Microsoft is in more control with Vista than ever before, and sometimes it can get annoying.

Security is good, but I've never had a problem with XP, either. The reason so many people have problems is because they're just stupid, and are happy to click every link and open every attachment they see. Not saying that you can't get a virus if you're smart, but still, some people are just idiots.

Anyway, the European Union should just be quiet in the end. It's a free world and if Microsoft wants to go for more security, let them. The people will decide whether or not they use the software or not. The EU doesn't need to decide what the people of Europe want on their computers.
 

Riddlinkidstoner

Senior member
Sep 3, 2006
272
0
0
Originally posted by: dna
Most users are stupid, and need to be protected from themselves, especially when they try to install this or that program to get some free icons, or a neat screen saver.

Theres a big difference between being stupid and not knowing what to do.

I find most people who use computers only know how to operate it on a daily basis and nothing further. Even if given ample time and access to resources that would help them understand how to protect themselves many would choose not to frankly because they feel they don't have the time or already gave up. I for one appreciate Microsoft catering to the major portion of the computer users out there who just cannot for the life of them protect themselves and therefore need a helping hand. Reguardless of whether MS is doing a good job or not, its better than leaving themselves open.

If you've ever had or used AOL you would understand how people don't get it. All the warnings they give when opening emails, disabling images and links, etc...its for their own protection because honestly, they don't know any better.
 

imported_dna

Golden Member
Aug 14, 2006
1,755
0
0
I think most people heard the phrase "don't take candy from strangers".
However, when it comes to computers/internet, they do not exhibit any common sense, and aren't the least bit cynic when presented with an ad offering a free XBox.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: Genx87
Heh all I keep hearing is people pissing and moaning about the security features of Vista interfering with people using the OS.

So you have Microsoft getting blasted for lack of security, then they create an OS from the ground up with security in mind and they get blasted for making it too annoying.

We want our cake and eat it too.

It's not security, it is full control of your PC by Microsoft.

You and the rest of your kind may be happy with that but people that like freedom do not.

Dont buy their OS.



 

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
17,515
0
0
As much as I don't like Microsoft products (mostly for technical reasons, actually), I think all the "built-in" security features are the way to go...as long as they allow you to install something else if you want. Arguments about flexibility and power users totally miss the point, the average user has shown himself incapable of using anything more complex than a toaster, for comptuers to really stick around as a useful tool, we have to take away as much power from the end-user as possible while still leaving power for people who know what they are doing. Anything else is just kidding ourselves, no amount of user education is going to help.
 

GoPackGo

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2003
6,519
595
126
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by: Genx87
Heh all I keep hearing is people pissing and moaning about the security features of Vista interfering with people using the OS.

So you have Microsoft getting blasted for lack of security, then they create an OS from the ground up with security in mind and they get blasted for making it too annoying.

We want our cake and eat it too.

It's not security, it is full control of your PC by Microsoft.

You and the rest of your kind may be happy with that but people that like freedom do not.


I still have Dos 6.0 and Windows 3.11 WFW laying around...
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,791
6,351
126
Criticisms of Microsoft OS's "security" has little to do with Firewalls, AVs, or Spyware detection. It's the near infinite other exploits constantly being discovered within the OS itself that gives them such a bad reputation. Tacking on integrated Firewall, AV, and Spyware detection is little more than whitewash on code ripe for exploitation.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,791
6,351
126
Originally posted by: Aisengard
So when do all the Apple anti-competitive pack-ins get removed from OSX?

Oh...right...

The Apple situation is quite different.
 

herkulease

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2001
3,923
0
0
Originally posted by: sandorski
Originally posted by: Aisengard
So when do all the Apple anti-competitive pack-ins get removed from OSX?

Oh...right...

The Apple situation is quite different.

Because they don't have a billions of dollars lying around like Microsoft for the EU to steal?

 

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
17,515
0
0
Originally posted by: herkulease
Originally posted by: sandorski
Originally posted by: Aisengard
So when do all the Apple anti-competitive pack-ins get removed from OSX?

Oh...right...

The Apple situation is quite different.

Because they don't have a billions of dollars lying around like Microsoft for the EU to steal?

Because they aren't in a position to use their (relative) monopoly power to engage in anti-competitive practices.
 

CanOWorms

Lifer
Jul 3, 2001
12,404
2
0
I don't know if this particular case is justified, but economic nationalism is running rampant in Europe. Microsoft is viewed as a dominant foreign company, and thus it hurts the European image of supremacy. Microsoft, Apple, Mittal, etc. are all recent cases of the surge of European economic nationalism following the rise of far-right extremism.