Windows 7 Comprehensive improvement of system security

I started experimenting with the Prebeta version of Windows 7 since last Monday. At first glance, the build 6801 version of this newest operating system is similar to Windows Vista because the look and feel parts of the operating system are usually reinforced at the bottom of the development schedule. At the moment, the core programming has set the tone, and the design of security has changed a little.

Windows 7 removes the Security Center that was originally launched with Windows XP SP2 and replaces it with Action Center instead. Action Center contains tips for top ten Windows features: Security Center; issues, reports and solutions; Windows Defender; Windows Update;diagnostics; network access Protection; backup and restore ; Recovery (Recovery) and Consumer Account Control (user accounts Control;uac).

The change in User Account Control (UAC) functionality may be most compelling. This feature is popular with Windows Vista, except that a dialog box pops up whenever a user tries to install new software or other factors.

In Windows 7, users who have administrator privileges can use the slider controller to adjust the prompt for confirmation (consent prompt) practices. Microsoft said that even if no reminders were seen, the system would still prevent malicious software. I don't know if this is a bad idea: if the user doesn't see any reminders, he may think the computer is all right.

The early version of Windows 7, released last week at Microsoft's PDC 2008 venue, also features a feature called Windows Filtering Platform (Windows Filtering PLATFORM;WFP), The intention is to allow Third-party products to take advantage of some parts of Microsoft Windows Firewall. Microsoft said: Third-party products can also choose to open or close Windows Firewall locally, so you choose which software firewall you want to use, and with Windows Firewall coexist.

Some security software vendors say they can't imagine their products being used with Windows firewalls, and that if Microsoft's firewall contains components that have to be used, they will build their own versions instead of Microsoft.

Other security features have also been altered. For example, the scrollbars and software Explorer features in the Settings screen are removed, while Windows 7 strengthens the immediate protection feature to reduce the impact on overall system performance.

Windows 7 extends BitLocker disk encryption support to removable storage devices, such as flash memory and portable hard disks. This means that the user can store the sensitive data in a USB storage device.

Biometric recognition (biometrics) enhancements include easier setting of the reader, allowing the user to manage the fingerprint data stored on the computer and controlling the way in which Windows 7 is logged.

There is also a System Restore feature that contains a list of programs that can be removed or added to provide more information to users so they choose to restore the system to a point in time.

The information is still likely to change as Microsoft's final build has yet to be released. Microsoft is expected to launch Windows 7 within three years of the advent of Windows Vista, which means it could be listed before January 2010. (Robert Vamosi)