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Security Firm Bypasses Patch Guard

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the routing-around-it dept.

filenavigator writes, "This week the security firm Authentium found a workaround for Patch Guard, the security feature Microsoft has embedded into the 64-bit version of Windows. It is supposed to keep out unsigned drivers, kernel modifications, and security company competitors. With Authentium's workaround it can be turned off, software installed, and turned right back on. Microsoft immediately responded by saying their reckless ways are endangering the security of Windows users and that they will disable this hack quickly."

2 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. Spelling correction. by Majik+Sheff · · Score: 5, Funny

    You left the 'n' out of "defines".

    --
    Women are like electronics: you don't know how damaged they are until you try to turn them on.
  2. Nice Anti-Microsoft blurb - good job, editors by Animaether · · Score: 5, Informative

    "Patch Guard ... is supposed to keep out ... security company competitors"
    Uhm. Yes. According to -some- security company competitors whose entirely livelihood depends on Windows being as insecure as it is? Certainly not according to Microsoft itself.

    "Microsoft immediately responded"
    really?
    Microsoft doesn't respond anywhere in that article. In fact, page 2 (yes, it's one of THOSE articles) specifically reads:
    "Microsoft representatives didn't immediately respond to calls seeking comment on Authentium's move."

    So where -did- they respond?

    "by saying their reckless ..."
    and that whole article doesn't contain the word 'reckless' at all. So where did they say this, again?

    Mind you, the article itself is in error when on page 2 it states:
    "Next Page: Microsoft defends itself."

    And when you get to page 3, you get:
    - a symantec spokesperson
    - an industry watcher, possibly:
    - Andrew Jaquith of Yankee Group

    But absolutely no Microsoft. So where is Microsoft defending itself?

    Don't get me wrong, I think PatchGuard probably has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese... but the submitter's text needs redacting, and the original article could do with an -actual- statement from Microsoft.