3 Reasons Win7 Security is Better than Vista

One of the most anticipated aspects of the forthcoming Windows 7 will be its security features.

According to Andrew Storms, director of security operations of nCircle Network Security, three specific security facets are the hot items to look for when first experimenting with Windows 7, due to be released tomorrow.

More Secure, Less Bothersome

The first new security improvement can be seen in the presentation of security measures. With Vista, people were always being asked to review their decisions via an "are you sure?" window request. With Windows 7, the user controls the extent with which they will be asked to review their decision-making. In other words, the user will be able to crank the level of security (or second-guessing) up or down when executing a command. (Source: yahoo.com)

USB, FOB Encryption

Also in Windows 7, users have the ability to encrypt at the USB and FOB drive level. The reason for this improvement is that USB and FOB drives are more commonly used now than they were at the time of Vista's release.

With Windows 7, "BitLocker Drive Encryption helps protect sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized users who come into possession of lost, stolen, or improperly decommissioned computers. BitLocker to Go extends BitLocker data protection to USB storage devices, enabling them to be restricted with a passphrase. (Source: microsoft.com)

Fingerprint Security

Lastly, Windows 7 security focuses on mobile device innovation, more specifically, in fingerprint reading capabilities. In iPhone-like fashion, fingerprint reading for notebooks were added to Win7 via vendor software. The operating system (OS) itself looks to make the traditional notebook computer appear as an entirely new device altogether.

Win7 Security Compared to Vista

There are even more improvements that can be seen in comparison to Vista.

In Vista, two important security features were introduced into the OS kernel: Data randomization and data execution prevention. Functionality has been added around these features in Windows 7. Basically, this means that Microsoft is willing to improve upon some of the positive strides made with Vista.

It is important to remember that Windows 7 is the first of an emergent breed of products from Microsoft. According to Storms, "They live and breathe by the new security life cycle management program". That's especially true with new viruses popping up on the Internet each passing day; it provides a strong push towards safe operating systems and can only mean good things for malware prevention in the future. (Source: newsfactor.com)