Microsoft recently released the newest version of its web browser, Internet Explorer 7, and is revving up of the newest release of the single most popular operating system in the world: Windows Vista. Years in the making, both software packages promise to deliver a new level of security and reliability to John Q. Public's computer experience, compared to the vulnerabilities of Windows XP.
Computer security threats range from the relatively benign spam bots, which use your e-mail account to send messages that advertise pills and products guaranteed to compensate for anatomical flaws, to the so-called ""rootkit,"" the most dangerous form of malware which installs itself in such a way that Windows itself has no way of detecting it's presence.
These threats exist not only due to errors in Windows code, but fundamental architecture design features that were originally intended to allow legitimate programs more control over system behavior.
In order to combat these threats, Microsoft has completely redesigned many of the technologies that provide the base—called the kernel—of the operating system that other applications build from. In particular, the networking stack—the part of the operating system that deals with internet access—has been rewritten from scratch to provide more secure access to the wilds of the Internet.
Other new features include improved transparency between the operating system internals and the user, so that users have a better understanding about what specifically programs are doing.
In fact, Jim Allchin, outgoing Microsoft co-president, is so confident about Vista's new security features he told reporters he allows his seven year-old son—a member of an age group that seems to have a knack for finding the worst species of malware—to browse the Internet without any anti-virus software installed.
Unfortunately, the balance between security and usability is a very difficult line to toe. Vista's early builds had approval dialog boxes for almost every action, such as moving a file from one folder to another. Later builds have turned off many of these dialogs, while keeping changes to important system files under lock and key.
Microsoft has had greater difficulties redesigning Internet Explorer. Since many legitimate web applications were developed with previous versions of the browser in mind—in some cases counting on certain quirks—it is very difficult for Microsoft to accomplish a substantial rewrite of the browser without potentially breaking compatibility with thousands of websites.
Even alternative browsers, such as Firefox, feature code intended to compensate for Internet Explorer's previous deficiencies.
However, what is perhaps most worrying about Microsoft is its attitude towards anti-virus companies. Not only is it claming that anti-virus software will not be needed with their new products, it is severely limiting the access to the operating system that anti-virus makers such as Symantec have enjoyed in the past.
Whether or not this is simple overconfidence or a monopolizing attempt to let Microsoft's own brand of anti-virus software, Windows Defender, take control of the market is yet to be seen.
My advice? Wait several months before seriously adopting either Internet Explorer 7—if you aren't already using Firefox 2, get it now—or Windows Vista.
Although Microsoft has recently improved its standard for program quality and bug-turnaround times, it is unlikely that either software package will be released to the public without at least one or two major flaws. History shows us that if we wait just a little bit longer, our computers will be that much safer.
Keaton Miller is a junior majoring in math and economics. His computer is so secure that a DNA sample is taken every time he desires to check his e-mail. Okay, it's not quite THAT secure. Give him your computer horror stories at keatonmiller@wisc.edu
