Speaking yesterday at the Black Hat Security Conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft has now introduced a new group of security related programs that share advanced information with partners about upcoming security threats.
As many in the tech industry know, within hours, and sometimes minutes of monthly security patches being released, exploits are already booming for the security holes fixed by these updates. The Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) will allow security software providers to provide protection to their customers quickly and effectively.
“The introduction of these new programs helps address evolving online threats and provides more practical guidance to assess and manage risk,” said Andrew Cushman, director of security response and outreach at Microsoft. “In the race between exploit and protection, Microsoft is committed to shifting the advantage to the security industry. The Microsoft Active Protections Program gives security software providers the information and resources they need to help better protect customers.”
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Jess and I got semi-interviewed today on a Podcast, and you can check it out/listen below:
Jason & Jessica on the “Featuring Who?” Podcast
Some of the things that we discussed:
- How Jess and I found Neowin (a forum we belong to) and how we became staff.
- Our computer setups.
- Discussion about Virtual Machines (Sun xVM VirtualBox 1.6.4, specifically).
- Microsoft’s Mohave Experiment backfiring
- Travelers’ Laptops May be Detained At the Border
It’s a fun little listen… I feel like a huge nerd, but what else is new? Enjoy!
Meet Windows Mojave:
The “Mojave Experiment”
It’s fast, it’s sleek, it’s cool, it’s hip, it’s… really Windows Vista?
This is the best marketing idea Microsoft has come up with in a long time. Dealing, as I do, with many novice computer users, getting them to switch to Vista has been an uphill fight. Most of them haven’t tried the OS or even seen it. They’re getting all their info from word of mouth and aren’t sitting down to try it. In this “experiment,” Microsoft has taken many different users and after listening to them bash Windows Vista, ask them to try the newest OS, Windows Mojave. Upon trying it, everyone is loving it and wanting it, and then comes the reveal… it’s actually Windows Vista.
It’s a great watch… I love the responses some of the people give (for real hilarity, click the link that says “You can’t please everyone.”) and how honest they are.
Seriously people, give Vista a try. Yes, it had issues… but so did XP… and 2000… and ME… and 98… and 95… ad infinitum. It’s not like Microsoft is the only company to have issues with new products (let us not forget the MobileMe mess) and if you never try anything new, you’ll be left behind.
Some information about the experiment via the Windows Vista Blog:
There you have it. If you’re using an older version of Windows… go give Vista a chance!
These are my daily “Good to Know” links for 07/17/08 … please enjoy:
John Wiley Price: "I don't even know what blog means" | Grits for Breakfast
As far as an elected official in 2007 declaring he doesn't know what the word "blog" means - Good God! I don't know where to begin.
'Shawshank' in a Minute | Radar Online
The Shawshank Redemption in one minute… rapped. It's awesome, trust me on this!
S.F. officials locked out of computer network | San Francisco Chronicle
A disgruntled city computer engineer has virtually commandeered San Francisco's new multimillion-dollar computer network, altering it to deny access to top administrators even as he sits in jail on $5 million bail, authorities said Monday.
Zombie Garden Gnome | Gizmodo
Design Toscano wants you to "expect the extraordinary from your home and garden," and that includes the walking dead. Take this 13-lb. resin undead garden zombie, for example.
Obama bloats Vista by 11MB | The Register
We're very much obliged today to readers Hawkeye and Duncan Lilly for providing evidence that the Beast of Redmond's Vista is not the lean, mean fighting machine it really should be. Check out this "important" update warning for size.
Come back for more links tomorrow!!
