Conventional wisdom calls for IT managers to wait for the first service pack before installing a new Windows operating system. But since Windows 7 builds on all the security improvements Vista made over Windows XP, there may be a temptation to ignore the rule.
p
That could be a problem because Windows 7 is far from secure, security firm Sophos says. In a company blog, Chester Wisniewski wrote that Windows 7 is highly vulnerable to the latest viruses.
p
We grabbed the next 10 unique (virus) samples that arrived in the SophosLabs feed to see how well the newer, more secure version of Windows and UAC [User Control Account] held up. Unfortunately, despite Microsoft’s claims, Windows 7 disappointed just like earlier versions of Windows, Wisniewski wrote.
p
The good news is that, of the freshest 10 samples that arrived, two would not operate correctly under Windows 7, he added.
p
subhead
Antivirus Still Required
/subhead
p
Not surprisingly, Sophos’ recommendation includes purchasing antivirus software. Lesson learned? You still need to run antivirus on Windows 7 … Windows 7 is no cure for the virus blues, so be sure to bring your protection when you boot up, Wisniewski wrote.
p
Microsoft was not amused by this. While agreeing that all computer users, including Windows 7 users, should run antivirus software, Paul Cooke, Microsoft’s director of Windows Enterprise Client Security, wrote in a blog post, I’m not a fan of companies sensationalizing findings about Windows 7 in order to sell more of their own software.
p
Cooke emphasized that viruses don’t come from the ether. They enter systems via the web and e-mail. Thus, Internet Explorer features like SmartScreen Filter will notify you when you attempt to download software that is unsafe — which the SophosLabs methodology totally bypassed in doing their test.
p
And of course, Microsoft offers its own free antivirus software, Microsoft Security Essentials.
p
subhead
Seat Belts Still…