Softpedia
 

NEWS CATEGORIES:



NEWS ARCHIVE >>
SOFTPEDIA REVIEWS >>
MEET THE EDITORS >>
TRENDING TODAY
Home > News > Microsoft > Security

September 18th, 2012, 14:27 GMT · By

Windows 8 Security Is Not Good – Symantec

SHARE:

Adjust text size:

The Windows 8 version of Windows Defender
Enlarge picture
Windows 8 will go live next month and Microsoft promises that the new operating system is a much more secure working environment thanks to a wide range of improvements.

Security software maker Symantec, however, isn't quite convinced that Windows 8 will manage to face all challenges when it comes to malicious attempts and emphasized that Microsoft hasn't spent so much time on the security chapter of the new OS.

“We're just not seeing any significant improvements in Windows 8 security [...] it doesn't move the needle much,” Gerry Egan, Symantec senior director, product management, was quoted as saying by Computerworld.

So, is Windows 8 a vulnerable operating system? Not quite, says Egan, as the Windows Store indeed adds a security layer to an otherwise standard operating system.

“It's partially true that Windows 8 is more secure,” Egan explained. “But underneath is a traditional Windows-Intel desktop, which is backward compatible with both the good code and the bad.”

One of the main security improvements bundled into Windows 8 is the new Windows Defender which received several major enhancements to cope with today's threats. Previously a typical anti-spyware product, Windows Defender now comprises Security Essential features, thus boasting antivirus capability to block and remove malware.

Windows Defender however isn't such an advanced piece of software, Symantec's official believes, so he encourages users to install his company's products.

Symantec recently announced that all its security solutions have been updated to work on Windows 8, so they now pack an updated engine that runs on low resources but, at the same time, does a much better job of protecting users.


3,442 hits · 3 comments
Link to this article · Print article · Send to friend

MUST-READ RELATED ARTICLES:


McAfee Security Software Updated to Protect Windows 8 Computers

Windows 8 Is a Disaster, Says Microsoft’s Bing

Critical Internet Explorer 9 Bug Found, Microsoft Releases Workaround

Freeware Norton Studio Makes Its Way into the Windows Store

Almost 1,600 Windows 8 Apps Are Now Available in Windows Store

READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: SA on 18 Sep 2012, 14:51 UTC reply to this comment

The problem with this article is that Symantec are not that great at security issues either.


Comment #2 by: eric on 18 Sep 2012, 15:31 UTC reply to this comment

Symantec states the obvious, without telling the other side of the coin.
If Microsoft makes the Perfect OS, there is little for them to do.
Also for profits sake (success), you want backward compatibility.
The security feature isn't to discourage virus infection so much as to maintain system files which Windows 8 will do better than previous iterations.


Comment #3 by: Rana Aamir on 18 Sep 2012, 19:24 UTC reply to this comment

Its not true... Symantec only want to buy their product. But i dnt like their antivirus. Windows 8 will be best windows ever

-sent via mobile

Copyright © 2001-2013 Softpedia. Contact/Tip us at

WindowsGamesDriversMacLinuxScriptsMobileHandheldNews

SUBMIT PROGRAM   |   ADVERTISE   |   GET HELP   |   SEND US FEEDBACK   |   RSS FEEDS   |   UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE   |   ROMANIAN FORUM