Forwarded from: security curmudgeon <jerichoat_private> [This got lost in my inbox from all the parties subscribed with dead accounts, & over quota mailboxes. There might be a few more postings hiding around here. -WK] > Forwarded by: Patrice Boivin <lori.patat_private> > > http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,46144,00.html > > Associated Press > 12:20 p.m. Aug. 17, 2001 PDT > > WASHINGTON -- A promotional website for Microsoft's > soon-to-be-released Windows XP operating system said it would > offer the same protection from viruses and hackers that major > corporations use. > > Not so, said a Microsoft executive who had the reference removed > from the website after the Associated Press questioned it. > > "I'm sure that was an unintentional overexuberance there," said > Mark Croft, manager for the new Windows product due in stores in > October. haha, nice wording here Mark. Why does this sound like pre-emptive backpedaling/spindoctoring? If Microsoft integrates a 'commercial grade firewall' into their operating system, how will that be any different than integrating a web browser into it? That would smack of the same antitrust case of Win/MSIE that is still going on in our court system. Whether they add it or not, they certainly can't advertise that as a feature without causing more legal headaches for themselves. > Croft said Microsoft's plan to add firewall software, designed to > protect Internet surfers from hackers, "is a good step from having > nothing" but it is not the full-fledged protection found in > firewall products sold separately. "We are adding a firewall, but not as good as others, so they will remain our competition..." yep yep. > Microsoft's plan to include numerous new features in Windows XP > such as the firewall, which complete with stand-alone products > made by others, has angered its competitors and raised questions > among state regulators. Glad I'm not the only one who thought of this. > On the website, Microsoft said the new firewall feature "makes > your information, computers, and family data safer from intruders > as soon as you start using Windows XP." And with Microsoft's track record for security.. > "For years, business networks have been able to protect themselves > from outside attacks by using firewalls," it added. "Windows XP > offers that same security to consumers with Internet Connection > Firewall protection." Much like Microsoft has protected their network using firewalls? http://www.attrition.org/security/commentary/microsoft-list.html > But Le Tocq said Microsoft's strategy of including a firewall may > pay huge dividends down the road because it could give the > software giant a huge consumer advantage over rivals that make > their own firewall products. > > "Frankly, I think that the personal firewall guys ... they're > going to be roadkill," he said. yep yep - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomoat_private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon Aug 27 2001 - 08:18:23 PDT