The next generation Microsoft Windows operating system, Vista, will offer better security features, whilst at the same time allowing easier access to files, programs, and media stored on computers running the new OS. Beta testers involved in trying out new test versions of Vista as they are developed say that security is the strong point of the operating system. All in all, Vista seems to impress the security world.
"It's about protection from the evildoers of the world," said Barb Bowman, a Manchester, N.H., woman who writes a column for Microsoft's Expert Zone website. "There's protection [from viruses and hackers] right out of the box."
Enhancements include Microsoft's own anti-virus security software, as well as a function that will require users to give their computers permission to execute some tasks that currently happen without their knowledge. Just how annoying the latter feature will actually wind up being remains to be seen.