[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows 8: Put its hidden security features to work! here

[brainout]

WE WANT ACCESS TO OUR OWN PCs. This is precisely the kind of article which makes people hate Windows. Unfortunately, Linux either did it first, or is emulating the same stupidity. LET US DECIDE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK OUR PCs. We don't need Big Brother. A network or IT department can deploy the locking it wants on a lot of machines as it chooses. But many buyers of individual PCs are NOT SERVED by this kind of 'protection'.

Which is, no protection at all, for how long do you think it will take before someone will successfully hack the Microsoft Live accounts? How long, before someone figures out how to fake a signature at boot?

The world has gone mad.

[DanielBlois]

Sorry brainout, you are wrong. MOST people want the security there - it is very few highly technical people that do not want it locked. There is nothing wrong with most computers coming locked already, only the minority will need it unlocked.

[ChatTn23]

Quote

Sorry brainout, you are wrong. MOST people want the security there - it is very few highly technical people that do not want it locked. There is nothing wrong with most computers coming locked already, only the minority will need it unlocked.

I have to agree here. In fact, I might say there are many people that might read this article and wonder what the heck Eric is talking about. “brainout” has some valid points regarding the hackers, but my approach is to throw as many road blocks out for them as practical. Not much can be done for those ignorant in regards to security issues, but Windows 8 probably was one of the more secure operating systems in that regard than previous versions. I am amazed that I can still find some people running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 with no installed security at all.

[lrh1956]

Can always login with a local account...it is the users option

[RobC0oqz]

It's time to officially rebrand this website WIN8World.

[phgibson]

Windows 8 is just not good enough. It is clumsily designed and not intuitive for typical users. Its almost like the architects could not decide whether they we designing for tablets or PCs/laptops and ended doing a bit of both. It is also very sluggish when trying to connect to server environments - for example the vpn connection to a sbs2011 server takes forever to connect and often crashes. Users get very frustrated. I am not against the launching of a new OS but it needs to be done right and be fully tested before being launced. This looks like a rushed job that is being rammed onto consumers. After several tests we will be downgrading all laptops and PCs to Windows 7. And hope that a Service pack will be released at some point so that it becomes usable.

[bstinelli]

Quote

Sorry brainout, you are wrong. MOST people want the security there - it is very few highly technical people that do not want it locked. There is nothing wrong with most computers coming locked already, only the minority will need it unlocked. I have to agree here. In fact, I might say there are many people that might read this article and wonder what the heck Eric is talking about. “brainout” has some valid points regarding the hackers, but my approach is to throw as many road blocks out for them as practical. Not much can be done for those ignorant in regards to security issues, but Windows 8 probably was one of the more secure operating systems in that regard than previous versions. I am amazed that I can still find some people running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 with no installed security at all.

secure maybe compared to other version of windows...as far as most secure LOL are you kidding me? windows 8 with anti-virus (that no other *nix needs) setup by the best would'nt probably compete with say openbsd, freebsd on their default run levels LOL...I would never call windows 8 secure or anything they make secure....for that, they'd need a wipe of their while api and restart from scratch....new os yes....old api yes....Ms is starting to do lots of the same things apple does....their app store cloud etc...i think thats one good way to secure windows............at least for the default users.....windows will never be secure i never could even imagine it and still manage to be the OS for people that don't know nothing about computers...I run windows on occasion, because i have too, but every and any time i use it with financial concerns i worry ...always ...

[bstinelli]

Quote

Sorry brainout, you are wrong. MOST people want the security there - it is very few highly technical people that do not want it locked. There is nothing wrong with most computers coming locked already, only the minority will need it unlocked. I have to agree here. In fact, I might say there are many people that might read this article and wonder what the heck Eric is talking about. “brainout” has some valid points regarding the hackers, but my approach is to throw as many road blocks out for them as practical. Not much can be done for those ignorant in regards to security issues, but Windows 8 probably was one of the more secure operating systems in that regard than previous versions. I am amazed that I can still find some people running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 with no installed security at all. secure maybe compared to other version of windows...as far as most secure LOL are you kidding me? windows 8 with anti-virus (that no other *nix needs) setup by the best would'nt probably compete with say openbsd, freebsd on their default run levels LOL...I would never call windows 8 secure or anything they make secure....for that, they'd need a wipe of their while api and restart from scratch....new os yes....old api yes....Ms is starting to do lots of the same things apple does....their app store cloud etc...i think thats one good way to secure windows............at least for the default users.....windows will never be secure i never could even imagine it and still manage to be the OS for people that don't know nothing about computers...I run windows on occasion, because i have too, but every and any time i use it with financial concerns i worry ...always ...

and you can't really have or need the same functionality between ARM and x86 there 2 different types of tools...its like whining because your hammer can't cut boards for you.....or like when someone whines why can't my little tiny ultrabook use auto cad LOL like it was ever designed for that?? maybe in the future when everything is virtualized and we leave the security to professionals than we won't have alll the wholes ....yeah most power users won't use these resources i'm sure....i think sandboxing (jails) locally and virtualization of the os' and leave it to the pro's....by the way , virtualization would make it possible to run reallly hardcore apps on small, portable devices....i think thats gonna be the future and i don't think m$ at this time is even in that realm..*nix's been do'n the distributing computing forever...hell years ago i clustered some socket 5 p100's just for fun

[Narendra]

Linking microsoft account is having risk if not properly done. It is very risky thing with windows 8 users. Afterall security is a thing for which we should care when we using apps, softwares.

[ChatTn23]

Quote

Sorry brainout, you are wrong. MOST people want the security there - it is very few highly technical people that do not want it locked. There is nothing wrong with most computers coming locked already, only the minority will need it unlocked. I have to agree here. In fact, I might say there are many people that might read this article and wonder what the heck Eric is talking about. “brainout” has some valid points regarding the hackers, but my approach is to throw as many road blocks out for them as practical. Not much can be done for those ignorant in regards to security issues, but Windows 8 probably was one of the more secure operating systems in that regard than previous versions. I am amazed that I can still find some people running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 with no installed security at all. secure maybe compared to other version of windows...as far as most secure LOL are you kidding me? windows 8 with anti-virus (that no other *nix needs) setup by the best would'nt probably compete with say openbsd, freebsd on their default run levels LOL...I would never call windows 8 secure or anything they make secure....for that, they'd need a wipe of their while api and restart from scratch....new os yes....old api yes....Ms is starting to do lots of the same things apple does....their app store cloud etc...i think thats one good way to secure windows............at least for the default users.....windows will never be secure i never could even imagine it and still manage to be the OS for people that don't know nothing about computers...I run windows on occasion, because i have too, but every and any time i use it with financial concerns i worry ...always ...

I believe you misread my comment. I was saying it was the most secure version of Windows released, not necessarily the most secure OS. Any OS that reaches the same volume use as Windows will have security problems.

[wuboyblue]

Here I am, enjoying W8 Pro on my Asus K-53 Intel Core i5 laptop. After about 1 day of fumbling around I finally got it with the Metro UI or Tile interface, which was sort of already on any updated Xbox.

At 54 years old I find the change and the faster boot time refreshing, This OS definitely kicks some but once you take a moment to get used to it. Gentlemen, some of live in a MSFT world, where my Xbox plays nice with rmy NAS and gives me an infinite library of music and entertainment.

I had on OS X machine as well, I sold it for a pair of Klipsch Chorus II's, one case where older is better.

[chukgray]

My new windows 8 laptop came with mcafee anti-virus installed...I have unistalled this program but I cannot install windows defender...can anyone tell me what I need to do to install defender?

[WinTard]

chukgray, on 13 February 2013 - 04:17 PM, said:

My new windows 8 laptop came with mcafee anti-virus installed...I have unistalled this program but I cannot install windows defender...can anyone tell me what I need to do to install defender?

Under Windows 8, Microsoft Defender is built-in to the OS.
http://windows.micro...ntials-download



However, some OEMs, lured by the money payed to them are pre-loaded with bloat/crapware 'trials'. If this fatware is of the anti-virus type, then it will conflict with the built-in excellent, effective and extremely efficient Microsoft Defender (identical to MSE under earlier versions of Windows).

However, they forcefully disable it to allow the inferior anti-virus trial offering to run instead.

But it is easy to restore.

PCWorld, on 14 December 2012 - 02:58 PM, said:

Post your comments for How to activate Windows Defender in Windows 8 here

WinTard, on 31 December 2012 - 10:13 PM, said:

bevaau, on 31 December 2012 - 08:56 PM, said:

I have a new computer with Windows 8 that came loaded with a heap of Norton 'stuff'. I cannot turn on Windows Defender - Control Panel - Security - offers no mention of it (that I can see) and Search - Apps - Windows Defender - only says 'Windows Defender is turned off' and offers no way to access it to 'turn it on'.
Any suggestions?

Unfortunately, Norton is the virus. Or is malware at the very least, since they purposely make it so hard to uninstall. But it is possible.

• First thing to do is to Google uninstall norton:
  
• REBOOT!
• Verify Norton is gone, with all the accompanying crapware. It usually leaves some Symantec/Norton stuff like auto-updaters etc... If not entirely clean from this bloatware, go back to step 1 and 2, until finally disinfected clean.
• REBOOT again! Why not it only takes six to twelve seconds or so on a clean Windows 8 system. Even a low-end one.
• Go into Start Menu (lower left corner) and type Windows Defender (as administrator meaning login with your admin account, not the regular non-admin one)
• Click onto the filtered search results (Windows Defender application)
• Navigate to {settings}
• Checkmark Turn on real-time protection (recommended) and save changes then you're done!
  

The most difficult part will be to uninstall the bloat-crap-malware from Norton.

Good luck, and Happy New Year everybody!

PS: a properly configured Windows 8 system will cold boot in six to twelve seconds, from initial power-on of the system. Anything above that mark is caused by bloat-crap-ware. Unfortunately.

~~~~~~~~~~
A computer is a stupid machine with the ability to do incredibly smart things, while computer programmers are smart people with the ability to do incredibly stupid things. They are, in short, a perfect match.
~ Some computer science & electrical engineering literate

The words of truth are always paradoxical.
~ Lao Tzu, Philosopher of Ancient China around ~ 600 BCE

Theory is when you know something, but it doesn't work. Practice is when something works, but you don't know why. Programmers combine theory and practice: Nothing works and they don't know why.
~ A practical theorist

The only constant is change.
~ Confucius, Chinese Thinker and Social Philosopher 551 BC ~ 479 BC

Resulting in:

bevaau, on 01 January 2013 - 02:01 PM, said:

(Sorry - I'm still learning to use the trackpad too!)
Thank you - that worked great. I have used Windows Security Essentials for some time now (with Vista) and had NO desire to get into Norton's clutches.

Since you already uninstalled McAfee, the other steps should be pretty simple to follow? Please make sure McAffee is really actually totally uninstalled before attempting these steps, however...

Like I said before, the toughest part will be to completely uninstall McAffee...

Good Luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
~ Dalai Lama

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.
~ Dalai Lama

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
~ Dalai Lama

[LouIannone]

It's pathetic that PCW articles are mostly repeated articles that are published in 90% of all their newsletters, regardless of topics the subscribed newsletter is supposed to cover. And adding 'insult to injury' some are even repeated/copied in newsletters to use as 'filler copy' because they can't come up with new info.

And speaking of copy material for publication in their newsletters, you'd think they are using 10 year old kids (or Chinese) to write/edit articles based on the amount of grammatical English errors one sees in just about every article they publish.

[brainout]

WinTard, on 16 February 2013 - 01:15 PM, said:

Under Windows 8, Microsoft Defender is built-in to the OS.
http://windows.micro...ntials-download



However, some OEMs, lured by the money payed to them are pre-loaded with bloat/crapware 'trials'. If this fatware is of the anti-virus type, then it will conflict with the built-in excellent, effective and extremely efficient Microsoft Defender (identical to MSE under earlier versions of Windows).

However, they forcefully disable it to allow the inferior anti-virus trial offering to run instead.

But it is easy to restore.


Unfortunately, Norton is the virus. Or is malware at the very least, since they purposely make it so hard to uninstall. But it is possible.

• First thing to do is to Google uninstall norton:
  
• REBOOT!
• Verify Norton is gone, with all the accompanying crapware. It usually leaves some Symantec/Norton stuff like auto-updaters etc... If not entirely clean from this bloatware, go back to step 1 and 2, until finally disinfected clean.
• REBOOT again! Why not it only takes six to twelve seconds or so on a clean Windows 8 system. Even a low-end one.
• Go into Start Menu (lower left corner) and type Windows Defender (as administrator meaning login with your admin account, not the regular non-admin one)
• Click onto the filtered search results (Windows Defender application)
• Navigate to {settings}
• Checkmark Turn on real-time protection (recommended) and save changes then you're done!
  

The most difficult part will be to uninstall the bloat-crap-malware from Norton.

Good luck, and Happy New Year everybody!

PS: a properly configured Windows 8 system will cold boot in six to twelve seconds, from initial power-on of the system. Anything above that mark is caused by bloat-crap-ware. Unfortunately.

Resulting in:

Since you already uninstalled McAfee, the other steps should be pretty simple to follow? Please make sure McAffee is really actually totally uninstalled before attempting these steps, however...

Like I said before, the toughest part will be to completely uninstall McAffee...

Good Luck!

Get TuneUp Utilities 2013. It works with Win8. It does a better uninstall than Windows can do. Or, if you already uninstalled via Windows or the software's own uninstall, Use TuneUp's Registry Clean function to 'catch' anything left over from Windows Uninstall, or the software's own uninstall. If you do the Registry Clean manually, you get very helpful explanations about each item's retention, so you can make smart decisions to clean or leave alone.

Rebit, EASEUS, Acronis, McAfee and Norton are notoriously difficult to uninstall completely -- and you have to uninstall them even prior to installing Win8, if you want a smooth upgrade or post-installation usage process -- Windows won't actually do the full job. Happily, TuneUp 2013 also works on Win7 and prior. It does what Norton Utilities meant to do, but stopped doing well after version 2006 for XP.