Re: WindowsXP will include a firewall of sorts

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: security curmudgeon <jericho () attrition org>

[This got lost in my inbox from all the parties subscribed with dead
accounts, & over quota mailboxes. There might be a few more postings
hiding around here.  -WK]

> Forwarded by: Patrice Boivin <lori.pat () ns sympatico ca>
>
> http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,46144,00.html
>
> Associated Press 
> 12:20 p.m. Aug. 17, 2001 PDT  
>
> WASHINGTON -- A promotional website for Microsoft's
> soon-to-be-released Windows XP operating system said it would
> offer the same protection from viruses and hackers that major
> corporations use.
>
> Not so, said a Microsoft executive who had the reference removed
> from the website after the Associated Press questioned it.
>
> "I'm sure that was an unintentional overexuberance there," said
> Mark Croft, manager for the new Windows product due in stores in
> October.

haha, nice wording here Mark.

Why does this sound like pre-emptive backpedaling/spindoctoring? If
Microsoft integrates a 'commercial grade firewall' into their
operating system, how will that be any different than integrating a
web browser into it? That would smack of the same antitrust case of
Win/MSIE that is still going on in our court system.

Whether they add it or not, they certainly can't advertise that as a
feature without causing more legal headaches for themselves.

> Croft said Microsoft's plan to add firewall software, designed to
> protect Internet surfers from hackers, "is a good step from having
> nothing" but it is not the full-fledged protection found in
> firewall products sold separately.

"We are adding a firewall, but not as good as others, so they will
remain our competition..."  yep yep.

> Microsoft's plan to include numerous new features in Windows XP
> such as the firewall, which complete with stand-alone products
> made by others, has angered its competitors and raised questions
> among state regulators.

Glad I'm not the only one who thought of this.

> On the website, Microsoft said the new firewall feature "makes
> your information, computers, and family data safer from intruders
> as soon as you start using Windows XP."

And with Microsoft's track record for security..

> "For years, business networks have been able to protect themselves
> from outside attacks by using firewalls," it added. "Windows XP
> offers that same security to consumers with Internet Connection
> Firewall protection."

Much like Microsoft has protected their network using firewalls?

http://www.attrition.org/security/commentary/microsoft-list.html

> But Le Tocq said Microsoft's strategy of including a firewall may
> pay huge dividends down the road because it could give the
> software giant a huge consumer advantage over rivals that make
> their own firewall products.
>
> "Frankly, I think that the personal firewall guys ... they're
> going to be roadkill," he said.

yep yep



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