Microsoft’s Windows Vista vulnerable to malware from 2004

“Microsoft’s Vista may be vulnerable to at least three pieces of widespread malware, two of which date back to 2004 , according to security vendor Sophos,” Tom Espiner reports for ZDNet UK. “At least three well-known Internet worms — labelled Stratio-Zip, Netsky-D and MyDoom-O by Sophos — are able to execute on the OS, according Sophos.”

“These worms comprise 39.7 percent of all malware currently in circulation, according to the security vendor. The MyDoom and Netsky variants were first detected back in 2004,” Espiner reports.

Espiner reports, “These are among the first flaws found in the finalised version of Vista. The Vista kernel was hacked by a Polish security researcher at the Black Hat security conference this year, using virtualisation technologies. Security company Symantec also reported flaws in the Vista kernel in August.”

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “dogfriend” for the heads up.]

MacDailyNews Take: On. The. First. Day. Of. Release.

Related articles:
Microsoft’s Allchin: Vista won’t need antivirus software – November 10, 2006
Microsoft’s oft-delayed, much-pared-down Windows Vista hacked at Black Hat – August 07, 2006
Symantec details more security holes in Microsoft’s Windows Vista – July 26, 2006
New invisible rootkit hits Windows including Vista – July 17, 2006
Sophos: Apple Mac OS X’s security record unscathed; Windows Vista malware just a matter of time – July 07, 2006
Windows chief Allchin: Buy Windows Vista for the security – January 30, 2006

81 Comments

  1. “Windows Mail Client — the Vista replacement to Outlook — will block the worms, but businesses running third-party e-mail clients such as Lotus Notes, or that permit Web-based mail such as Yahoo or Gmail, could be vulnerable.”

    Is Micro$oft throwing their weight around or what? There’s works, others don’t (on purpose).

    How much does a Windows Mail Client license cost?

    I love my Mac!

  2. It’s worse than “on the first day of release.”

    These are not new malware problem. These are old vulnerabilities. I think Mac OS X is more secure (not because of the “safety through obscurity” myth, but ) because Microsoft Windows is an infinitely easier target for the hackers of the world.

  3. Absolutely false. This article is simply fear mongering from security software manufacturers and the Apple elite who are cowering in fear of Microsoft’s mighty Vista. There are NO flaws in the Vista kernel. Let me repeat this with the hope that maybe one or two of you Mac fanboys gets it: There are NO flaws in the Vista kernel.

    Maybe that 30-year old cobbled together OS X needs to weighted down with antivirus, firewalls, patches and spyware detection systems, but not Vista. Unlike you-know-who in Cupertino Microsoft doesn’t rush products out to market. Vista is safe. Why do you think Microsoft says they’re “people ready”? Companies don’t say stuff like that unless it’s true.

    The Zune is another excellent example of Microsoft’s approach which is quality, design and the end user experience. Hey Apple, you might want to try one of those approaches next time you copy Microsoft.

    Your potential. Our passion.

  4. The Titanic is NOT sinking. I repeat the Titanic is not sinking. The manufacturer had stated clearly that it is an iceberg proof ship.

    So go back to your cubicles and rest assured that Windows in NOT sinking.

    Blub … blub … blub ………

  5. Zune Tang…..!?!?!?!?!
    Where are you? What planet are you on?
    “Unlike you-know-who in Cupertino Microsoft doesn’t rush products out to market.” Rush out product? the last update to Apple’s OS was over 2 years ago. Meanwhile Microsoft has admitted that they had to completely scrap “Longhorn” and start all over. Please know what you are talking about befor you go spewing all over Mac sites.
    “Companies don’t say stuff like that unless it’s true.” How old are you? 12?
    Don’t worry, I am not offended. I am just thrilled to have had such a great laugh today!
    Thanks Zune Tang!!!

  6. So just how long will it take an unprotected Windows Vista system to get infected with virus and spyware? And running all the regular application like a browser, mail, Office, etc… Regular daily stuff. And connected to the internet.

    And before the Windows folks get up and arms about not having any extra virus protection on the Windows box – That is how most Macs run – and not a virus or spy ware yet.

    1 hour? 1 half hour? 1 minute?

  7. Lets face it, Microsoft is the bung hole of technology as we know it. They may have market share, but that just scares me. How many ignorant people there must be in the world. For all of the reluctant PC users out there, it is not so scary to switch to mac. It is very scary not to.

  8. Zune Tang, great at satire? Now that’s a laugh. If Tang is as droll as he imagines himself to be, he wouldn’t have to keep repeating the same material. I think that Tang should change his name to Tedium.

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