Topic: Windows Defender picked apart

[Clive]

Windows Defender, a security application built in to windows Vista, has again come in for criticism from security experts.

Researchers from Enex TestLab, an independent testing facility, tested Windows Defender and found that it only blocked 46 per cent of current spyware threats.

"These results show Vista requires more work to protect users,? said Matt Tett, Senior Test Engineer for Enex TestLab.

However, Microsoft has always maintained that Windows Defender is supposed to work in conjunction with third-party security software, not instead of it.

Microsoft's Jim Allchin was forced to clarify comments he made in November last year when he said his son was using a Vista PC with no anti-virus software installed.

"Windows Vista includes new security features that can dramatically help improve our customers' security... [but] Windows Security Center, a great feature in Windows Vista, specifically encourages the use of antivirus software,? he wrote in his blog.

The research carried out by Enex TestLab was commissioned by Australian Security software vendor PC Tools.

"We know that Microsoft is facing difficult challenges with the broadening scope of dangerous malware attacks while also trying to maintain backwards compatibility and usability,? said Simon Clausen, chief executive of PC Tools.


http://www.testlab.com.au/