Is W8.1 that much more secure than W7?

[gunslinger]

The article was written by a Windows expert (i.e. a Microsoft MVP alumni); not a Technician.

A "Windows expert" should know better. Come on, "We all use one or more antivirus software" This is something an end user who is completely ignorant would say.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I second that. Furthermore, the forced encryption of drives in win8 concerns me, as I can forsee that being a real fun issue with data recovery. I don't see a lot of talk about this and it surprises me.

See here: http://www.howtogeek.com/173592/win...rives-by-default-everything-you-need-to-know/

If you use a Microsoft Account then that isn't as big an issue as it seems. It is easy to retrieve the key from your Microsoft Account and decrypt the drive. If it is part of a domain then the key can and should be entrusted to the Admin who can use it to retrieve company data. If you have a local account and forget the password and don't keep a copy of recovery key then you are screwed.

Fortunately most people are sheep and the default install pushes you to create a Microsoft Account and that pushes you into giving your cell phone number as a recovery device. The only issue is the case of people who get hacked. In theory you could get locked out of your encrypted device. It might take effort to call microsoft and regain control of it.

 

[TechPJC]

A "Windows expert" should know better.

I forgot...a small computer-repair shop 'tech'
is always a better Windows "expert"
than a distinguished Microsoft MVP alumni.

Just a Reminder:

The techs on this forum really need to stop being such damn self righteous dicks.

Come on, "We all use one or more antivirus software" This is something an end user who is completely ignorant would say.

The exact phrase of the author is:

We all use one or more [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/recommended-free-anti-virus-software-for-windows-7"]antivirus software[/URL], [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-internet-security-suite-windows"]Internet Security Suite [/URL]or a [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-firewall-software-windows-download"]Firewall software [/URL]on our Windows computer.

There is Nothing wrong about the above phrase given the fact that the majority of 'The WindowsClub' readers is average users.

 

[gunslinger]

I forgot...a small computer-repair shop 'tech'
is always a better Windows "expert"
than a distinguished Microsoft MVP alumni.

All that and still an idiot. Just because you have a sweet title tacked to the end of your name does not keep you from making stupid remarks or being a jackass. Steve Balmer anyone?

 

[TechPJC]

As proved HERE :
First, you entirely misunderstood the purpose of the article.

Then, you attacked the credibility of the author (a distinguished Microsoft MVP alumni).
Please, show us your Research and Publications on Windows Security
since the author's expertise is not enough for you...

All that and still an idiot.
Just because you have a sweet title tacked to the end of your name
does not keep you from making stupid remarks or being a jackass.

Imagine if you do Not have a sweet title tacked to the end of your name,
then, how easily you can make stupid remarks or being a jackass...

 

[gunslinger]

As proved HERE :
First, you entirely misunderstood the purpose of the article.

Then, you attacked the credibility of the author (a distinguished Microsoft MVP alumni).
Please, show us your Research and Publications on Windows Security
since the author's expertise is not enough for you...

Imagine if you do Not have a sweet title tacked to the end of your name,
then, how easily you can make stupid remarks or being a jackass...

Listen, I'm not saying Win 8 is not a bit more secure than any other version of Windows out there. I'm sure it is. I'm just saying that was a stupid remark and a stupid article title from what may be an otherwise intelligent person.

I'm not real quick to give someone instant credibility just because they have a cute title as you are. You can roll your little eyes all you want but thats just how it is. If you want to treat this person as a demigod because of their cute title be my guest but don't try to pass everything he says off as fact. Or every comment from him as intelligent.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Listen, I'm not saying Win 8 is not a bit more secure than any other version of Windows out there. I'm sure it is. I'm just saying that was a stupid remark and a stupid article title from what may be an otherwise intelligent person.

I'm not real quick to give someone instant credibility just because they have a cute title as you are. You can roll your little eyes all you want but thats just how it is. If you want to treat this person as a demigod because of their cute title be my guest but don't try to pass everything he says off as fact. Or every comment from him as intelligent.

I am glad you cleared that up. Because up until this point what you said pretty much was dising the entire article. For one thing you stated that you did not read it. Don't want people thinking you are a crass jackass then perhaps you need to proofread what you post better.

 

[TechPJC]

Don't want people thinking you are a crass jackass,
then, perhaps you need to proofread what you post better.

Amen! Alleluia!

I'm just saying that was a stupid remark and a stupid article title
from what may be an otherwise intelligent person.

Present your own FACTS on the issue and
leave the comments related to the author's Intelligence/Stupidity aside.

Even if you do Not agree with the author's remarks,
you cannot describe as 'stupid' the remarks of
a distinguished Microsoft professional.

Especially when you forgot to publish
your own (more intelligent/less stupid than the author's) work on Windows Security...

 

[gunslinger]

Amen! Alleluia!

Present your own FACTS on the issue and
leave the comments related to the author's Intelligence/Stupidity aside.

Even if you do Not agree with the author's remarks,
you cannot describe as 'stupid' the remarks of
a distinguished Microsoft professional.

Especially when you forgot to publish
your own (more intelligent/less stupid than the author's) work on Windows Security...

Sure I can. If you came in here with some stupid remark like "Windows is more secure than Linux" I'd call your remark stupid as well. Again, you put this guy on a pedestal because of his cute title without thinking for yourself.


Hmmm, my own "intelligent/less stupid" work on Windows security? Lets see.

Microsoft Windows is well known as the most insecure OS of all time. It is the most infected and most targeted OS by a huge margin. With Windows 7 and now Win 8 Microsoft has made some real progress with security. Although not anywhere close to Linux or OSX in terms of virus and Malware resistance, its much better than the days of Win XP and Microsoft is moving in the right direction. Not so much with the UI. If one knows what they are doing it is possible to run your windows 7 or 8 system AV free. Although for most people a good anti-virus is still not a bad idea.

How is that for a more balanced and intelligent assessment? Versus, "Windows 8, the anti-malware OS" or "We all run multi-AV programs"

 

[TechPJC]

(a) From your 1st post HERE, you misunderstood everything by writing:

[COLOR=Red][COLOR=Black]To call any version of Windows the "anti-malware operating system" is a joke in itself. Linux, yes. OSX, yes.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

-The author clearly stated: "I do not know about Mac and Linux, as I did not study them in depth".
-The author focused on the Security 'Windows 8.1 vs. previous Windows versions'!

-As far as myself, I never wrote a thing about Linux or Mac.


Moreover,
-This Thread (see the OP HERE) is about Windows Security (7 vs. 8.1).
-This Thread is not about Windows Security vs. Linux Security vs. OSX Security!


(b)

'Windows 8, the anti-malware OS'

As I have already explained HERE, this refers to the the Windows 8/8.1 Boot-time Anti-Malware protection
(e.g. Secure Boot, Trusted Boot, Early Launch, and Measured Boot) compared with the previous Windows versions.
Once more, this has Nothing to do with 'Windows vs. Linux vs. OSX.'

(c)

"We all use one or more [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/recommended-free-anti-virus-software-for-windows-7"]antivirus software[/URL], [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-internet-security-suite-windows"]Internet Security Suite [/URL]or a [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-firewall-software-windows-download"]Firewall software [/URL]on our Windows computer."

Once more (As I have already explained earlier HERE,):
There is Nothing wrong about the above phrase given the fact that
the majority of 'The WindowsClub' website readers is average users.

The author uses 'we' (i.e. the 2nd person plural in the polite form),
as he refers to the 'Average Users' who largely use this kind of software.
-This has Nothing to do with what kind of software the author uses for his own personal protection!

From the above (a), (b), and (c) points, it is clearly proven that
your arguments are based on an entire misunderstanding of
what both the author and I wrote!

Since a distinguished Microsoft MVP alumni,
like the author of the article,
is Not enough for you,
then, share with us your OWN published work on Windows Security.

-Is the quoted passage from your OWN personal writings?

Although for [B]most people[/B] a [B]good anti-virus[/B] is [U]still[/U] [B]not a bad idea[/B].

Exactly, what the author (of the article I posted) implied for most Windows users:

We all use one or more
[URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/recommended-free-anti-virus-software-for-windows-7"]antivirus software[/URL], [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-internet-security-suite-windows"]Internet Security Suite [/URL][COLOR=Red][B]or[/B][/COLOR] a [URL="http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-firewall-software-windows-download"]Firewall software[/URL]
on our Windows computer."

As far as the rest remarks of the passage you quoted
(i.e. the ones related to the security of Linux and OSX over the one of Windows):

For one more time, I will remind you that:

-the Purpose of this Thread (as shown HERE by the OP)
is to discuss the security features between Windows 7 and 8.1!

-the Purpose of this Thread (as shown HERE by the OP)
is not to discuss the security features between Windows, Linux, OSX or whatever!

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Microsoft Windows is well known as the most insecure OS of all time. It is the most infected and most targeted OS by a huge margin. With Windows 7 and now Win 8 Microsoft has made some real progress with security. Although not anywhere close to Linux or OSX in terms of virus and Malware resistance, its much better than the days of Win XP and Microsoft is moving in the right direction. Not so much with the UI. If one knows what they are doing it is possible to run your windows 7 or 8 system AV free. Although for most people a good anti-virus is still not a bad idea.

"Microsoft Windows is well known as the most insecure OS of all time."

https://www.google.com/search?q=most+insecure+os+of+all+time

"It is the most infected and most targeted OS by a huge margin."

Might have something to do with taking up what...90% of the desktop os market?

"With Windows 7 and now Win 8 Microsoft has made some real progress with security. Although not anywhere close to Linux or OSX in terms of virus and Malware resistance"

Well yes and no since by default your running as admin in a fresh windows installation.

 

[gunslinger]

"Microsoft Windows is well known as the most insecure OS of all time."

https://www.google.com/search?q=most+insecure+os+of+all+time

"It is the most infected and most targeted OS by a huge margin."

Might have something to do with taking up what...90% of the desktop os market?

"With Windows 7 and now Win 8 Microsoft has made some real progress with security. Although not anywhere close to Linux or OSX in terms of virus and Malware resistance"

Well yes and no since by default your running as admin in a fresh windows installation.

We been down this road before, many times. Please send me a virus for my Mac, I dare you. I been making this challenge to the ant-Mac crowd since 2008 and haven't had anyone take me up on it yet. Any article stating OSX is in any way less secure than Windows is complete and utter horse **** and you know it.

The old security by obscurity garbage again.

 

[trevm999]

We been down this road before, many times. Please send me a virus for my Mac, I dare you. I been making this challenge to the ant-Mac crowd since 2008 and haven't had anyone take me up on it yet. Any article stating OSX is in any way less secure than Windows is complete and utter horse **** and you know it.

The old security by obscurity garbage again.

Windows users and Mac users both are susceptible to the same malware tactics. As shown by how many times I've seen Macs with Mackeeper installed. The difference is, there is no profit in mackeeper being actually malicious. If it was malicious, Apple would have it blacklisted in no time. I'd say Apple's blacklist is a great security feature. Now, if there was a sudden big increase, I could see keeping it updated would be a problem, but I can't see it increasing that much suddenly. It could increase over time, but I'm sure Apple would also increase their efforts to keep their reputation.

 

[gunslinger]

Windows users and Mac users both are susceptible to the same malware tactics. As shown by how many times I've seen Macs with Mackeeper installed. The difference is, there is no profit in mackeeper being actually malicious. If it was malicious, Apple would have it blacklisted in no time. I'd say Apple's blacklist is a great security feature. Now, if there was a sudden big increase, I could see keeping it updated would be a problem, but I can't see it increasing that much suddenly. It could increase over time, but I'm sure Apple would also increase their efforts to keep their reputation.

I'm sure you are right. Macs can get malware installed but you have to do it manually. I have never seen a drive by infection for the Mac or Linux for that matter. Also on the Mac side you can choose to run "gate keeper" so nothing not in the app store can be installed. This pretty much locks the system down tight.

 

[trevm999]

I'm sure you are right. Macs can get malware installed but you have to do it manually. I have never seen a drive by infection for the Mac or Linux for that matter. Also on the Mac side you can choose to run "gate keeper" so nothing not in the app store can be installed. This pretty much locks the system down tight.

I think being tricked into manual install is how a lot of windows users get viruses, but drive bys are why I will never log into my bank account on a windows computer. Unfortunately, in 10.9 it is much easier to bypass gatekeeper. A good app store also helps in keeping users safe, since they don't need to look for software in other places.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I'm sure you are right. Macs can get malware installed but you have to do it manually. I have never seen a drive by infection for the Mac or Linux for that matter. Also on the Mac side you can choose to run "gate keeper" so nothing not in the app store can be installed. This pretty much locks the system down tight.

I dont really keep up with mac exploits but there was that java one that flashback was using for a little while.

 

[trevm999]

I dont really keep up with mac exploits but there was that java one that flashback was using for a little while.

Yeah, and after it was discovered Java was blacklisted until they fixed it. PITA for clients that needed to run Java.

 

[TechPJC]

Although the OP and the purpose of this thread is to discuss the Security of Windows (8.1 vs. W7),
lets deviate a little bit:

When more than 90% of Desktop users are running Windows ,
the majority of malware is naturally Windows-related.

Similarly,

-IF the majority of users had installed Linux, then the majority
of malware would have been Linux-related.

-IF the majority of users had installed OSX, then the majority
of malware would have been OSX-related.

OSX and Linux can be infected by malware, too.


-The following huge PDF files (January 2014) HERE and HERE
(wait to open...) show malware related to OSX;
malware that even Antivirus software for Mac failed to detect and/or clean!

Reading some remarks (on the right-side):
"About XProtect
XProtect is a list of blocked files and plug-ins that is maintained by Apple.
Even though this is not an antivirus or antimalware application, just a
blacklist called on by OSX when a file is opened,
I included it to show that in the majority of the cases OSX does not protect you.
Even in the few cases where a piece of malware is blocked,
it usually takes Apple several weeks to block it, leaving users plenty of time to get infected."

-As far as the Linux systems, tell about it to the German government
when they had to deal with the SSH rootkit backdoor Ebury...

 

[gunslinger]

Although the OP and the purpose of this thread is to discuss the Security of Windows (8.1 vs. W7),
lets deviate a little bit:

When more than 90% of Desktop users are running Windows ,
the majority of malware is naturally Windows-related.

Similarly,

-IF the majority of users had installed Linux, then the majority
of malware would have been Linux-related.

-IF the majority of users had installed OSX, then the majority
of malware would have been OSX-related.

OSX and Linux can be infected by malware, too.


-The following huge PDF files (January 2014) HERE and HERE
(wait to open...) show malware related to OSX;
malware that even Antivirus software for Mac failed to detect and/or clean!

Reading some remarks (on the right-side):
"About XProtect
XProtect is a list of blocked files and plug-ins that is maintained by Apple.
Even though this is not an antivirus or antimalware application, just a
blacklist called on by OSX when a file is opened,
I included it to show that in the majority of the cases OSX does not protect you.
Even in the few cases where a piece of malware is blocked,
it usually takes Apple several weeks to block it, leaving users plenty of time to get infected."

-As far as the Linux systems, tell about it to the German government
when they had to deal with the SSH rootkit backdoor Ebury...

Again, I'm not saying Windows 8.1 is not more secure than Windows 7. I was giving Microsoft credit for improving the OS but, by your logic its only more secure because it has a far smaller market share than Win7. Right now Mac has about double the market share of Windows 8.1 With about 10% to Win8's 5% Your logic button seems to be busted.


Also, Again I challenge you to send me a virus for OSX. Not a list that someone made up of "malware" that MIGHT be able to infect the Mac if someone were stupid enough to manually install it. You haven't done that and no one else has been able to either. You would think if there were really so many infections in the wild for OSX some tech in the past 6 years could have done that.


The OP was that Windows 8.1 is more secure than Win7. I have no doubt it is. My beef was with the title of the article and the stupid remark about AV.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Again, I'm not saying Windows 8.1 is not more secure than Windows 7. I was giving Microsoft credit for improving the OS but, by your logic its only more secure because it has a far smaller market share than Win7. Right now Mac has about double the market share of Windows 8.1 With about 10% to Win8's 5% Your logic button seems to be busted.


Also, Again I challenge you to send me a virus for OSX. Not a list that someone made up of "malware" that MIGHT be able to infect the Mac if someone were stupid enough to manually install it. You haven't done that and no one else has been able to either. You would think if there were really so many infections in the wild for OSX some tech in the past 6 years could have done that.


The OP was that Windows 8.1 is more secure than Win7. I have no doubt it is. My beef was with the title of the article and the stupid remark about AV.

I hate reading your posts sometimes. YOUR logic button is busted. Thats the nicest way I could think to word it. I'm sorry but someone had to say it.