Vista Security Spreads More "WOE" Than "WOW" at RSA Conference, According to PC Tools Poll

Business Wire, Feb 9, 2007

Security Experts at RSA Conference Express the Need for Third Party Vendors to Back Up Vista's Security

SAN FRANCISCO -- An informal poll conducted by PC Tools at this week's RSA Security Conference showed that more than 300 vendors and security researchers were troubled by Vista's inability to combat malware threats.

"The results from our testing of Vista replicates what other security vendors have also found -- Microsoft can't match the speed and effectiveness of third party security vendors like PC Tools in responding to malware threats," said Michael Greene, Vice President for Product Strategy.

Other experts and attendees at the RSA Conference, one of the world's largest security conferences, said Vista's security system -- while promising -- could not combat the vast number of threats currently targeting the system.

"We already know that hackers are being paid to find weaknesses in Vista. The security kernel has been compromised," said one security writer who has watched with interest the emerging doubts regarding Vista security.

Meanwhile a security vendor said, "With so many machines getting this new operating system installed, cyber criminals and hackers will be finding new ways to break into the operating system. They no longer want to just cause chaos -- they want to steal money from users."

Of more than 300 security experts interviewed -- from more than 11,000 attendees -- 97 percent said they believe that Vista will have problems with security for the next few years. About 2 percent were unsure and the rest did not respond to the issue.

"PC Tools' flagship product Spyware Doctor is currently Vista ready," Greene said. "We have anticipated that Vista security issues will be particularly challenging. Like previous Microsoft operating systems, this is a target-rich environment for hackers. With hundreds of millions of Microsoft operating systems installed, the opportunity for mischief is just too great."

ABOUT PC TOOLS(TM)

PC Tools is a global software leader with a cache of security and utility products, including the multi award-winning Spyware Doctor(TM). PC Tools is an industry leader in real-time anti-spyware and has a number of key patents pending.

PC Tools is headquartered in Sydney, with offices in San Francisco, London, Dublin, Melbourne, and Kiev. PC Tools has a global network of distributors, resellers, and retailers.