Security Apps Will Be Able to Tap Vista

By Geoff Duncan Published October 16, 2006

While meeting with a bank in Rome, Italy, today, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told Reuters the company will disclose key APIs which will enable security software developers like Symantec and McAfee to tie into the kernel in Windows Vista, as well as suppress Microsoft’s own security warnings which could be triggered by installing third-party security software.

The move neatly addresses two sources of complaint about Microsoft’s forthcoming operating systems: complaints that security technologies built into Windows Vista might violate business competition regulations in the European Union, and complaints from security software developers that Windows Vista security model would actually make using Vista more dangerous, rather than safer for consumers.

Recommended Videos

Ballmer said the information would be disclosed to third-party security vendors today; according to Reuters, Microsoft plans to post the information on a secure Web site.

The information would enable third-party security software developers to suppress warnings issued from Microsoft’s security technologies built into Vista, so the operating system doesn’t identify the third-party security software as a virus, worm, or other form of malware. Third-party developers will also be given access to Vista’s kernel to implement low-level security features; developers have been able to patch the Windows kernel in releases prior to Vista.

Former Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Apple will finally stop making iPhone-to-Windows copy-paste such a chore

Your iPhone may finally copy and paste with a Windows PC like it should

Apple Universal Clipboard feature

Copying something on an iPhone and pasting it onto a Windows PC should be one of the least remarkable features imaginable. While this simple process seems effortless between an iPhone and Mac, Windows users are still left waiting.

Now, Microsoft is formally asking Apple to provide interoperable clipboard access through the company’s European Union interoperability process. The request, submitted on March 25, argues that iOS restrictions prevent third-party platforms from creating an experience comparable to Apple’s Universal Clipboard. Apple has now reached Phase III and committed to developing a solution.

Computing

Chrome wants more extension reviews, but good ratings won’t keep malware out

Google is testing built-in extension review prompts, but good ratings can still hide malware

malicious-google-chrome-extensions-on-web-store

Google is preparing to add extension review links directly inside Chrome, putting feedback closer to the menus people already use to manage their add-ons.

A Chromium change, first spotted by Windows Report, points to review options in the Extensions menu, the chrome://extensions management page, and extension context menus. Only eligible Chrome Web Store extensions in good standing would qualify, and the feature is still under development.

Computing

Passkeys were pushed as a safer future. Hackers have figured out ways to break those synced to Google

Google’s “uncopyable” passkeys may be easier to steal than promised

google-lawsuite-AI-Scams

Passkeys have been pushed as the safer successor to passwords. It promised protection from phishing, credential reuse, and password leaks. Google even claims that it cannot be copied or accidentally handed to someone else. But it might not be as secure as the company wants it to be.

Security researchers (Via BleepingComputer) have now found three ways malware can undermine those promises for passkeys synced through Google Password Manager. The techniques, collectively named Pass-ta-key, target Google Password Manager inside Chrome on Windows computers equipped with a Trusted Platform Module. Every attack requires malware to already be running on the victim’s computer.