Microsoft bows to security firms
In a press release on October 13th, Microsoft announced that they had created a new API for Windows Vista that allowed security vendors to bypass PatchGuard (a mechanism on x64 computers that locks all external code from the kernel).
"We devised a new engineering approach that will create and extend new kernel level APIs so that PatchGuard will be retained, the security of the kernel will be protected, and yet security vendors will have an opportunity to meet their needs through these kernel level API extensions" Microsoft announced. Exactly how this works is uncertain, but it is believed that PatchGuard is no longer as secure as it was.
Microsoft also announced that Windows Security Center would be able to be shut off through a new API:
"Following some very constructive conversations, we developed a new engineering approach and have created a new Application Programming Interface (API). With this new API, Windows Security Center will not send an alert to a computer user when there is an alternative security console installed on a PC, and when that security console is sending that same alert itself."
Microsoft also announced that the Windows Welcome Center would be adjusted to advertise 3rd party security software.
Source: Microsoft
Read More: Microsoft Press Release
