Microsoft: Windows 7 UAC is Fine, Don’t Worry, We Don’t Want to Talk About It, OK?

By  |  Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 9:07 am

Windows 7When it comes to Windows’ User Account Control security feature, Microsoft just can’t catch a break. The version of UAC that debuted in Windows Vista is famously paranoid and pushy. And now there’s controversy brewing that the default settings of Windows 7’s less in-your-face UAC are too lax. Malware can turn off UAC without Windows 7 notifying the user; it can also take advantage of a security hole to give itself auto-elevate permission, thereby hiding its actions. Over at ZDNet, Mary Jo Foley has a good report on this.

I’m most concerned about the fact that Microsoft refused to let Mary Jo interview anyone on the subject–instead, the company provided her with a terse and not very satisfying prepared statement. There may be a rational argument for why Windows 7’s approach to UAC makes sense, but so far, Microsoft doesn’t even seem to be trying to make it…

 
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6 Comments For This Post

  1. JonathanPDX Says:
    February 4th, 2009 at 9:22 am

    Perhaps they shouldn’t catch a break. We users need something that will run what we need, but stop malware from taking over our computers.

    Microsoft needs to step up to the plate and give us an OS that really works well both in usability and security. If their developers can’t do it, then maybe its time to open up and get some outside help.

  2. Jennifer Hoy Says:
    February 4th, 2009 at 9:32 am

    This speaks to me that Microsoft isn’t even satisfied with what they are coming up with, but doesn’t want to share internal feelings of disappointment with their customers.

    I just don’t understand why they continue to rush to “fix” a problem before they step back and analyze what they did wrong or where they can improve. It seems they are in such a hurry to get the next update out before they lose customers to another option.

    Customers will come back to a product that is truly worthwhile. To continue to rush something out to maintain a presence is not doing either Microsoft nor the public any favors.

  3. David Worthington Says:
    February 4th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Microsoft knows how to create a secure OS, but it can’t do what its engineers want to without starting over from scratch.

    http://www.sdtimes.com/link/32662

  4. ediedi Says:
    February 4th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    UAC is a big deal, and MS needs to get it right. I think that most of the bad image Vista has is because of the ‘cancel or allow’ nonsense.

  5. G Says:
    February 4th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Don’t forget that this is STILL a beta version… they need input from people using it to say what’s wrong so they sort it out, or will they ?

  6. Rick Thompson Says:
    November 2nd, 2011 at 8:12 am

    It's a challenge. If you don't add extra anti-virus and security to your system, you are vulnerable. If you do add it, it really slows down your system.

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  1. Microsoft’s Controversy Surrounding Windows7 | Dolphini Blog Says:
    February 10th, 2009 at 5:22 am

    […] Microsoft: Windows 7 UAC is Fine, Don’t Worry, We Don’t Want to Talk About It, OK? (technologizer.com) […]