BusinessWeek: “Vista: Slow And Dangerous”
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Stephen H. Wildstrom, BusinessWeek’s Technology & You columnist, has been testing Microsoft’s Windows Vista since the pre-release beta version. According to his column, he has found the operating system slow and its User Account Control system just as annoying and a nag as the parody represented in one of Apple’s Get A Mac commercials.
The most exasperating thing about Vista, though, is the security feature called User Account Control. UAC, satirized in an Apple (AAPL) ad as a security guy who constantly interrupts a conversation, appears as a pop-up asking permission before Windows will do a number of things: change system settings, install programs, or update antivirus software. UAC may well be necessary to block malicious programs from secretly installing themselves or hijacking your browser settings. But Microsoft has designed it to drive you nuts…
…There’s a real danger here: UAC is such a nag that many folks will just turn it off, which Microsoft has made quite easy to do. Disabling UAC is especially tempting if you have set up limited accounts for your children that let you restrict the sort of Web sites they can visit, the programs they can run, and the amount of time they can spend on the computer. With limited accounts, the kids will have to find a parent whenever a UAC window pops up. But if you give them unlimited accounts to deal with UAC requests, they can undo any restrictions.
Unfortunately, turning off UAC severely weakens Vista’s defenses. In a study of Vista security, Symantec researcher Orlando Padilla found that without UAC, Vista’s resistance to hostile software was similar to that of Windows XP. Before Vista, Windows promiscuously let programs install new software and make system changes without any notice to the user. UAC goes way too far the other way, requiring intervention for many innocent actions. The version of UAC in Mac OS X works much better, rarely popping up except during a software installation or upgrade.
I said it before and I’ll be saying it again…reinstall XP, or if you are due for a new computer try to get one with XP, buy a Mac, or try Ubuntu .
Tags: microsoft, microsoft windows vista, windows vista, vista, uac, user account control, security, businessweek
7 Comments
Jeremy
March 15th, 2007
at 1:59pm
I wrote a review to the same tune days ago! Where are my props. Oh wait, I’m just a small potatoes guy that has no clout in the industry. Anyway, I agree with Wildstrom, ditch Vista. Better going back to XP, get a Mac or switch to Linux.
Windows Security Blogs » Blog Archive » BusinessWeek: “Vista: Slow And Dangerous”
March 16th, 2007
at 7:19am
[…] Read more: Lockergnome Nexus […]
Matt S.
March 16th, 2007
at 3:53pm
I am never going back to XP, just to get that out there.
If your telling me to turn off what you say is what is keeping you from using Vista why get rid of it? Say UAC is off. There has to be something else that is keeping you from using it? And dont give me the app compat bs. Because the first release always has problems in that area due to 3rd parties being slow.
As for that overexagerating mac ad I saw one thing through the whole commercial that was actually true. Even if I didnt like UAC, thats not enough to make me go back to XP. And I to have been testing Microsoft’s Windows Vista since the pre-release beta version.
Your being paid by APPLE arent you….
usrbingeek
March 16th, 2007
at 4:54pm
Nope, haven’t received anything from Apple. Nothing free or discounted and never been compensated by them or any of their resellers.
But that doesn’t mean I’d turn away something sent to me. Would you?
Rick Hogan
March 16th, 2007
at 5:40pm
I’ve noticed something interesting in recent weeks. It seems like there are a handful of people like me, who have “been around the block a few times before” and understand that every time a major new OS release comes out, there is going to be a period of adjustment while all the other software and hardware vendors “catch up.” There are people (again, like me) who are actually using Windows Vista and are finding that it’s really a pretty decent upgrade from XP.
Then there are all these anti-Microsoft bigots who are bound and determined to find any execuse to attack and criticize Vista. These people mostly seem to have no clue what they are talking about. They just talk to hear themselves talk. They complain just for the sake of complaining. They have nothing useful to say.
In my business, I depend on a lot of software that only runs on Windows. Sure, I could spend twice as much money to buy a Mac and start from scratch learning the Mac OS and learning all new software to replace the software I use now, but why should I? What is the benefit? What will I get for the extra money that I don’t have now? Instead of attacking Windows Vista, how about telling us something useful? How about giving us a good reason to switch to Mac or Linux - and your hatred of Microsoft and Bill Gates is NOT a good reason at all.
Rick
Matt S.
March 19th, 2007
at 1:06am
Rick,
It is truly a great sight to see, especially lately, a person that is pro-MS and mainly pro-Vista. And your right there are to many people lately that are just hearing a bunch people complain and jumping on the bandwagon without understanding what they are complaining about.
It wouldn’t be half as bad if they would suggest positives for leaving Windows instead of telling me why not to use Windows.
Matt
Brendon Thurston
April 26th, 2008
at 10:27am
Yes UAC can get annoying but i’d rather have it on than off, I personally think its a great adtion to Vista. The Mac ads make it look more over the top than it really is you dont get warning every few seconds.
Many people complain because they don’t understand computers as well and dont know about Vista Drivers and things like that. In my household we have alot of computers such as the HP Dragon which has Vista it runs fast and really well becasue it was built around Vista. My point being Upgrading to Any new operating system will open up problems even some people upgrading there Mac OS.
Brendon =]