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WinXP SP2 Sacrifices Compatibility for Security

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the less-spam-please dept.

goldragon writes "TechRepublic is reporting that "Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to improve security. So much so, in fact, that it will cause many problems because SP2 will de-emphasize backward compatibility with legacy systems and code for the sake of security." One small step forward for Microsoft, one giant leap backwards for mankind?"

4 of 773 comments (clear)

  1. Sacrifice? Windows Users are used to it by Gunfighter · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Aren't all Windows users already sacrificing security for compatibility just by using Windows? Perhaps this is just meant to level the playing field.

    I'm sure Microsoft will be releasing an update full of application compatibility fixes shortly after the SP2 release. Even in vanilla XP, you can run applications in Win95/98 compatibility mode. I don't see any reason to change it now.

    --
    -- Stu

    /. ID under 2,000. I feel old now.
  2. Seems deceptive by stanmann · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The article indicates that most of the things being broken will be viruses and trojans.

    And that the only other major change will be to Finally honor the NX(Non-executable) memory designation, IOW if you want self-modifying code, you can still have it, but you can't place a call to an area that has been marked as Data-only or NX.

    Seems to be all good to me...

    --
    Food not Bombs is a nice platitude but it breaks down when you notice that the Bombees are usually well fed
  3. Compatibility is Overrated. by PhxBlue · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It was overrated when Apple told its users, "deal with it." And it's overrated now. If you want backwards compatibility, use a Win2k emulator.

    --
    !#@%*)anks for hanging up the phone, dear.
  4. Re:Pah. by MoonBuggy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Spam zombie/pwned newbie machines will be running dog slow. The owners of said machines will either pay a techie to "fix AOL for them" at which point the techie removes viruses and spyware and installs the latest Windows updates (i.e. SP2) or the machines will simply be considered 'broken' by the owners (you'd be suprised how many people think they need to upgrade their hardware because they broke the software by installing crap) at which point Dell/PC World/Emachines will ship them a shiny new box complete with a patched up version of SP2. It might take a year or two, but assuming SP2 is as secure as MS is making out its proliferation will be very good for the internet at large.