Microsoft Details Kernel Patch Protection in Vista

With the recent wave of criticism targeting Microsoft's policy with windows Vista's kernel, the Redmond Company has published a white paper on the Download Center detailing kernel patch protection in the operating system. WinVisionWPUS-KPP FINAL.doc is a 627 KB file comprising An Inflection Point for Kernel Security and 64-Bit Computing.

"Unbounded changes to the operating system "kernel" can lead to system instability as well as the complete compromise of all software programs and hardware resources on a system. Consequently, the operating system kernel environment needs to be the most secure, reliable and trustworthy piece of code in Microsoft Windows. The purpose of this paper is to explain how Microsoft Corp. is protecting the Windows operating system kernel to improve reliability and protect against evolving security threats. This paper will discuss the pitfalls that must be avoided now as well as the future direction of the kernel platform," revealed Microsoft.

Microsoft has announced a change in its past strategy that permitted third-parties to develop software that would intervene and even take control over the kernel. Symantec and McAfee have already criticized the Redmond Company's move and have not been shy from emitting suggestions of monopolist practices.

"For the past several years, hardware and software developers have, as a whole, worked to improve security. Security has become even more important as a result of the exponential growth of the Internet as part of our everyday lives. Microsoft Windows Vista is not only the next version of Microsoft’s operating system; it is also an inflection point for security and 64-bit computing. How these two critical ecosystem changes are handled in Windows Vista will set the stage for the long-term vision of Windows as an even more secure and reliable operating system," promised Microsoft.

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