Windows Security Blog : Windows Vista

Upcoming Action Center Changes for Security Vendor Software

Paul Cooke — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:05:00 GMT

We have been working in partnership with our independent software vendor (ISV) community to move the ecosystem to a set of new application programming interfaces (APIs) that many ISVs use to report status to Security Center (integrated within Action Center in Windows 7). The interfaces are used by many antivirus, antispyware, and firewall programs. Te interface changes were introduced in Windows Vista SP1. These new APIs supersede the ones originally shipped in Windows Vista.

From the release of Vista SP1, we jointly established with the security ISVs an 18 month grace period where they could use both the old and the new interfaces. After the 18 month grace period expires, a security application using the older interface will cause the Windows Security Center system tray icon to indicate a warning. In addition, the Security Center control panel will display a "<program name> is on but is reporting its status to Windows Security Center in a format that is no longer supported. Use the program's automatic updating feature, or contact the program manufacturer for an updated version" warning message, a sample screen shot is included below. The grace period begins at the time Vista SP1 is installed on a Windows Vista system. As a result, the grace period will begin expiring in September 2009, 18 months after Windows Vista SP1 was released on the Microsoft Download Center in March 2008.

Through our partner outreach and the Ecosystem Readiness Program, we have been working with the ISVs since October of 2007 to help them get ready for the final transition to this new interface. As a result, we have removed the old API from the Windows 7 RC. Users who are running security software that does not use the newer API will see the "non-compatible" message shown below from the new Action Center, which instructs customers to contact their security software provider.

Although you may receive this "non-compatible" message from your security software, it should continue to work and help protect your system even though it is not able to report its status through the Action Center UI.

If you encounter this message today on Window 7 or in the future on Windows Vista, I encourage you to check with your software vendor to see if they have an updated version of software available. Many of our partners already have products that use the new APIs and the others have committed to having compatible versions by the end of the Windows Vista grace period and for Windows 7. Having the latest, compatible software from your security vendors will help ensure that your system remains protected and that you are accurately informed when your security software is not running properly.

BitLocker on TechNet Radio

Paul Cooke — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Not sure how many of you are familiar wtih TechNet Radio, but I did a piece for them the other day that I encourage you to go check out. It's a quick interview on BitLocker Drive Encryption. In it, I get asked about BitLocker not only in Windows Vista, but also around some of the changes we have made in Windows 7. Take a listen to the interview below and trust me, we will have more on the new Windows 7 security features coming shortly...

TechNet Radio - BitLocker Drive Encryption

Welcome

Paul Cooke — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Good day, Paul Cooke here.

It’s great to be hosting the all new Windows Security Blog. For the last couple of years, we have been talking about what has made Windows Vista the most secure client operating system Microsoft has ever delivered over on the Windows Vista Security Blog. Now, as we start talking about Windows 7 and look for opportunities to discuss relevant security topics in a broader sense, we felt it was a good time to re-launch and re-locate the blog here as part of the Windows Blog.

The purpose of this blog is to make you aware of all the things that go into having a secure Windows environment. This will cover the gamut from Windows XP all the way through the upcoming Windows 7. We plan to post updates regularly and add some variety with guest posters throughout the security space here at Microsoft.

No matter if you are making the move from our old Windows Vista Security Blog or you are joining us for the first time, we welcome you and look forward to your comments. We will work hard to carry on great discussions with all of you!