Windows Vista Security Center: User-Focused Improvements
I’m Chas Jeffries, and I’m the lead program manager for Windows Security Center (WSC) for Windows Vista. As I write this, we are working hard to prepare for the RTM release of Windows Vista. The past year has been an exciting one for the WSC team. We have been working with customers and ISVs to significantly improve the WSC experience in Windows Vista for users. The result is a more open and capable Security Center than what we shipped in Windows XP SP2. In Windows Vista, we remain quiet.
At the top of the list of the improvements that we are most excited about is the inclusion of direct remediation in WSC for ISV solutions. This improvement was based, in part, on direct feedback from the ISV community. In Windows XP SP2, if you were running an antivirus program and that program was turned off or its virus signatures were out-of-date, WSC would alert you to the problem and offer recommendations as to how to fix it. The trouble was that it was up to the user to figure out how to fix the problem, which usually meant figuring out which application to run to fix the issue.
New in Windows Vista, participating ISVs can provide links from WSC to the programs that will correct these problems. Specifically, should an issue arise in Windows Vista with any of your third-party security software, including third-party firewall, antivirus, and antispyware software, WSC will alert you that there is a problem and will provide a button that will link you to the third-party-provided solution that will allow you to easily fix the problem using the third-party's own software. This means that if you are using an ISV solution that integrates with WSC, you’ll be able to fix that solution directly. If you decide that the installed solution is not the one for you, Security Center still maintains the same experience from Windows XP SP2, allowing the user to get another solution from a list of compatible solutions on the Microsoft Web site.
To illustrate this experience, take a look at the following screenshot, which shows the Trend Micro PC-cillin experience on Windows Vista RC1 when the Trend Micro PC-cillin antivirus software is out-of-date.
Notice that in the screenshot WSC provides a button to “Update now” for virus protection. Clicking this button will prompt the user to update his or her antivirus signatures for the Trend Micro PC-cillin solution, as shown in the next screen. As a side note, notice that your third-party software now is able to have its icon displayed, allowing you to easily recognize its presence in Security Center.
Clicking the command link “Yes, I trust this program and am ready to run it” will launch the Trend Micro PC-cillin software to fix the problem, as shown in the next screen.
After the Trend Micro PC-cillin software has successfully updated the antivirus signatures, Security Center will report that Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security – Virus Protection is up-to-date, as shown in the next screen.
In order for this feature to truly improve the user experience around maintaining a secure computing environment, we are encouraging ISVs to provide links to software that will fix the specific problem. We are working closely with the ISVs to ensure that they have the guidance as to how to integrate with WSC for Windows Vista.
One area where we received significant customer feedback was in the area of alerting and the red shield icon in the system tray. While we truly believe that disabling WSC alerts creates risk for the user, we understand that there are certain instances where this is necessary. So in light of that understanding, we have enhanced the functionality for the feature “Change the way Security Center alerts me.” We have added new options for changing the way Security Center alerts you when there is a problem with your computer, as shown in the following screenshot.
New in Windows Vista, you have the option to choose between having Security Center alert you when there’s a problem, not alert you (but display the red shield icon), or not alert you and not show the shield icon in the system tray. In addition, it is now possible to right-click the shield icon when it’s displayed in the system tray and dismiss it, as shown in the next screenshot.
As part of our Windows Vista Beta 2 effort, we conducted a usability study on Windows Security Center. One piece of feedback was on the new feature that alerts the user when there’s an issue with Internet Security Settings, which you can see in the next screenshot.
Should your computer’s Internet security settings be put in an insecure state, Security Center will now alert you to the problem and allow you to fix the situation directly. The way this feature was originally implemented, it only provided a single option to the user, which was to return Internet security settings to their recommended settings. Some users told us that they wanted to actually see what settings were responsible for Security Center alerting them. Based on this feedback, we enhanced the feature so users can now choose to restore the Internet security settings to their recommended settings or they can inspect the settings, as shown in the next screenshot.
If the user chooses to inspect the settings by selecting “I want to restore my Internet security settings myself,” Security Center opens the Internet Security Settings dialog box, where the user can easily identify the problematic settings, as shown in the next screenshot.
We are excited about the new functionality in Security Center for Windows Vista and believe that these features will allow the greatest choice, flexibility, and freedom for Windows users with regards to keeping their computers safe.
-- Chas Jeffries
Comments
Anonymous
October 18, 2006
PingBack from http://puntodivista.wordpress.com/2006/10/19/novita-del-centro-per-la-sicurezza-in-vista/Anonymous
October 19, 2006
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October 19, 2006
i think the only thing i have been disappointed with security wise is that microsoft has an excellent security program in windows one care and i had to cancel it to run vista. i have a hard time understanding how ms can urge all of the various peripheral program vendors to build drivers for vista beta, while most of the software on my computer that doesn't support vista belongs to ms! i had to cancel my msn account and windows one care because neither are supported in vista. just seems strange.Anonymous
October 19, 2006
OneCare for Vista is in Beta right now. You can give it a try, take a look at http://ideas.live.com/programpage.aspx?versionid=b2456790-90e6-4d28-9219-5d7207d94d45 Thanks, MarceloAnonymous
October 20, 2006
thanks marcelo, i just talked to windows one care help desk the day i posted the original comment you replied to and they did not have a clue about the link you provided. thanks again, garyb.Anonymous
November 24, 2006
first of all i want to say that all the people who worked on vista did an amazing job... but there are some stuff that are so annoying i want to go back to xp for example there i was trying to modify a txt file w/ notepad an error message popedup it went like this "you do not have permissions to modify this file" i thought there was something with with permissions after a nerveous breakdown i found out that i had to run notepad as administrator... if you help me out with this i will be really greafull (my email is sevki@hasirci.com just in case)thank you again for vista guys really great job...Anonymous
December 30, 2006
i want to reset my internet security my self and not to block some of the picture i want.Anonymous
December 30, 2006
pls enable my internet security at it is before for me to view some pageAnonymous
February 04, 2007
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February 11, 2007
Finally, I am back home after a nice 4 hours drive. Chicago was as I expected to be, so much better thanAnonymous
March 07, 2007
I certainly like Vista over previous Os's. Well, not SGI Irix, but that is a different story. I'm commenting about the fact that the firewall doesn't remain in an "on" condition when the computer is turned off. This is a great annoyance and time-waster. Why would you create a situation where the user has to turn on the firewall every time they turn the machine on? I am using the Home Premium version. Please enlighten me.Anonymous
March 09, 2007
I am NOT a techie but I had to buy a laptop for my business which is on the internet ONLY. My problem with vista is that EVERY time I go to a website, I get an alert that asks me if I will allow Active X. This is at least three times per page. Help me. Please.Anonymous
March 19, 2007
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March 28, 2007
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April 03, 2007
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April 04, 2007
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April 08, 2007
Hi I am having trouble switching my Windows Vista Security Centre. Whenever I log on to Windows it gives me a warning saying that Windows security center is not working, and then when I go about switching it on, it says "Windows Security Centre cannot be started". Any one has any ideas why that might be?Anonymous
April 09, 2007
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April 13, 2007
To prepare for a review of Norton 360, Symantec's reworked Internet security suite, I uninstalled AVG Free, the excellent and free antivirus program from Grisoft. After the requisite reboot, I noticed that I was not seeing a warning from Windows Vista..Anonymous
April 28, 2007
I have the same issues as described above. I have Trend Mico and it is not being recognized by Security Center adn I cannot turn on Windows Defeder. Any suggestions?Anonymous
April 30, 2007
Ditto. Antivirus and Windows Defender not recognized in Security Center. I have searched the internet and found no answers. Guess we have to wait for Microsoft to fix this in a future update?Anonymous
May 06, 2007
Vista also doesn't recognise my Avast antivirus and I can't turn on Defender (although both used to work!). I wish they'd hurry up and fix it!Anonymous
May 07, 2007
Some programs like kaneva wont install updates because of the security settings.. how do you know which to change etc.Anonymous
May 17, 2007
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May 19, 2007
what web cams are compatible with both xp & vista. please contact me at: dbarneyd@yahoo.comAnonymous
May 19, 2007
what web cams are compatible with both xp & vista. please contact me at: dbarneyd@yahoo.comAnonymous
May 25, 2007
On Windows vista how do you change the way you log in? email me asap jconnor619@cox.netAnonymous
May 26, 2007
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May 28, 2007
My friend in Australia is blocked from sending me Email. How can I unblock his mail?Anonymous
May 30, 2007
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May 31, 2007
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June 02, 2007
After (successfully) uninstalling Norton Internet Security 2007, Vista Security Center still report two firewalls. So, is this a Microsoft problem or Symantec problem? Who to blame?Anonymous
June 07, 2007
please provide firewall info. need it thanks have a good dayAnonymous
June 10, 2007
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June 13, 2007
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June 15, 2007
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June 22, 2007
I'm running Vista Ultimate, build 1/21/2007, the OEM Builder Pack with Norton Internet Security Suite 2007. Neither can be found by the Security Center, and have selected the not being monitored alternative. Defender finally works after many tries to get it going. Charles, are you folks going to provide users with a fix? Like everyone else - Vista was a substantial investment and I feel like i'm not getting my money's worth!Anonymous
June 22, 2007
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July 05, 2007
I have tones of cookies and vrirus in my computer need a program to get rid off themAnonymous
July 14, 2007
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July 17, 2007
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July 19, 2007
The Security Alerts on Windows Is Always Trun off I cannot change It, and the All download programes is stoped how can i fix this problem plz advise Waitting reply Best Regards hamedAnonymous
July 26, 2007
Even though I uninstalled AVG Free to install Zone Suite 7.1, Security Centre says I'm still running both when the AVG Free was successfully uninstalled! Falsely reporting the presence of a security program after being uninstalled cannot be secure! HELPAnonymous
July 30, 2007
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August 02, 2007
i just installed norton internet security. when doing the inital setup windows security centre picked up norton, however after running update and doing a restart its saying no antivirus software dectected. why is it doing this?Anonymous
August 07, 2007
Derek Smart, your third paragraph is what I have encountered to the letter. What to do.......Anonymous
August 10, 2007
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August 10, 2007
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August 19, 2007
Thanks to Simon Furey's post dated Thursday, May 31, 2007 5:37 PM. The trick given on linked page works.Anonymous
September 04, 2007
I think the most frustrating part of WSC is when a security program leaves and entry out in WSC as if it is still installed. As the Administrator, there should be a function that allows you to correct this issue and there is not. I think a function like this should be included and not make us depend on the Code provider to correct this issue..Anonymous
September 09, 2007
I recently purchased a new HP laptop with Norton Internet Security installed trial version, i am not a norton fan i can never get my home network to function with it. So i uninstalled norton and norton reported its fully uninstalled then i rebooted and installed Kaspersky AV using windows firewall. Now when i look it is showing that i have 2 AV programmes and 2 Firewalls, Norton is still being detected even though its uninstalled. Any help would be appreciated.Anonymous
September 11, 2007
I can't turn windows defender on when i try it checks for new definitions then tells me it can't find any and remains turned of,any ideas?Anonymous
September 13, 2007
My Acer came with Norton and my ISP offers McAfee Security Center and Webroot for spyware. Although my MSN security center says I an running 2 firewalls Windows firewall and McAfee I do not seem to be having any problems. Can I trust windows firewall if I disable McAfee? Please clarify? ThanksAnonymous
September 13, 2007
I noticed an earlier post regarding the removal of McAfee products and am experiencing the same problem. I had McAfee Total Protection installed and found the overhead on the system unacceptable. I removed the software via the control panel and rebooted. The Security Centre still shows McAfee Firewall as being on. I tried all of the programs McAfee had for total removal of their software yet it still shows as being on. I've scoured the registry and can't find any mention of McAfee anywhere. I have tried the live chat service with McAfee tech support but it has become clear that they just don't understand what the problem is. Needless to say I have become thoroughly puzzled. If anyone has any thoughts I'd be very grateful to hear them. Cheers.Anonymous
September 18, 2007
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September 19, 2007
I posted a few days ago regarding the problem with two firewalls showing in the Security Center but forgot to let an address I could be reached at. If anyone has any idea how deal with this situation I'd really appreciate the assistance. tech(@)pretentious.net. Cheers. TAnonymous
September 27, 2007
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October 01, 2007
To those of us that have the problem with the McAfee firewall and maybe others as well not going away after completely uninstalling them and Security Center stating that there are two firewalls you may want to check out this URL http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=807382. Check for the response for Malke and it just may solve the headache. It worked for me and hopefully will for you. Cheers. TAnonymous
October 16, 2007
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October 19, 2007
I Must of been one of the lucky ones! I found that Norton removal tool done the trick....I Now have no trace of Norton in Windows Security Center.Anonymous
November 10, 2007
My problem is is the same as the others, winsecurity alert refuses to turn on, even though win updater,defender and firewall appears to work. In the past I have also had problems w/ system restore. I can't understand why microsoft is ignoring this long lasting problem. It needed to be fixed yesterday. Microsoft gets 2 thumbs down for not solving this problem.Anonymous
November 10, 2007
Dont know if this is any use but it seemed to speed mine up. http://www.pctuneuptips.com/tips/vista_tweaks/?gclid=CKzpg56no48CFQkMEAodODdOtgAnonymous
November 22, 2007
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December 07, 2007
Hi, I'm running Vista Ultimate 32 bit on a Fujitsu-siemens PC, after uninstalling kaspersky internet security 7, I installed Eset Nod 32 Smart secuirty, and now WSC says that I have 2 firewalls turned on, and 2 antivirus softwares. Any help how to resolve this problem I will appreciate.Anonymous
December 18, 2007
I must agree with Lee. I work in tech support and was advising customers to ...Anonymous
December 19, 2007
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December 26, 2007
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January 08, 2008
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January 08, 2008
Hey guys, Aaron again. I finally found an easy tutorial that shows how to turn Security Center back on. For some reason unknown to me you have to tell your computer that Security Center CAN be turned on before you are allowed to turn it on... odd, yes; confusing, yes; easily fixed, yes. Follow this link and skip Step 1. It's irrelevant. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67737-security-center.html?ltr=SAnonymous
January 15, 2008
Using Vista Home Basice, when I open the security center, the option to "Change the way security center alerts me" does not appear. I have tried disabling the Security Center from services.msc, but it keeps coming back!!! How do I get rid of it?Anonymous
February 17, 2008
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February 23, 2008
Maleware protection is Security center report that Norton antivirus 2007 is out of date even though I do up-to-date. Please help me how to fixAnonymous
February 29, 2008
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April 15, 2008
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April 28, 2008
I need to know how to enable email scanner. Thanks chrisAnonymous
May 03, 2008
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May 07, 2008
I keep being alerted by a red cross on the bottom right hand corner of my screen, which is windowa security alerts. This states that my malware protection is out of date. I installed the free Norton Protection Package I received with my new computer some weeks ago. So how could this be and how can I rectify it Regards, JohnAnonymous
May 20, 2008
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June 02, 2008
The Using Vista Home Basice, when I open the security center, the option to "Change the way security center alerts me" does not appear. I have tried disabling the Security Center from services.msc, but it keeps coming back!!! How do I get rid of it? http://www.bencehersey.netAnonymous
June 17, 2008
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June 22, 2008
Same problem here with Mcafee. Uninstalled it, yet Security Center says that it is still installed and "on"... I don't get it... ran the mcpr.exe tool - still does not work. I don't understand how Vista can be secure if it shows that you are protected with a antivirus program yet nothing is installed. This should be fixed!Anonymous
June 27, 2008
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July 26, 2008
Dean wrote: >Same problem here with Mcafee. Uninstalled it, yet >Security Center says that it is still installed and "on"... >I don't get it... ran the mcpr.exe tool - still does not work. The solution proposed here worked for me: http://www.pchell.com/support/multiple_antivirus_in_security_center.shtml Hope this helps. --Michel.Anonymous
August 08, 2008
I need help! I have AVG but windows security center doesn't recognize it and defender keeps turning off!! Help!!Anonymous
August 13, 2008
I am using Windows Vista with automatic updates turned on. I have Trend Micro Antivirus 2007 and Spybot Search & Destroy as well a Windows Defender. Since yesterday (8-12-08), I began to notice a Windows Security Alert. When I opened Windows Security Center, the section under "Malware Protection" shows that antivirus protection was "not found" and sypware and other malware protection is "snoozing". The messages are "Windows did not find any antivirus software on this computer" and "Spybot - Search & Destroy reports that it is temporarily turned off" Windows Defender is not listed under spyware protection at all. For Spybot, when I click on the "Turn On Now" button followed by "Yes, I trust this program and I am ready to run it", a command window pops up with a flashing prompt for a few seconds and then this window disappears with no remedy. Sybot continues to snooze. When I open Trend Micro Antivirus and Spybot, they seem to be working fine. There is a clearly problem with Windows Security Center. Is there a fix?Anonymous
September 16, 2008
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October 01, 2008
I need my activation code, I didnt never get it, and you'll taking my money anyways!Anonymous
October 09, 2008
у меня на компе Vista Center вирус мне надо анти вирусAnonymous
November 10, 2008
When I open Windows Security Centre it shows I have 2 firewalls and 2 antivirus programmes running, when, infact I have uninstalled them, deleted the registry keys etc.. very annoying I must say. I even had remote access from ESET on my pc but he couldnt even tell me why this is happening. Any ides ??