Top security firms pledge support for Vista

Microsoft has announced that it has backing for the consumer launch of Windows Vista from the world's leading security providers.

The statement says that the cited security software providers, including Symantec, McAfee, Grisoft, Kaspersky and Trend Micro, are "committed to delivering fully tested and compatible versions of their consumer and small-business security solutions by 30th January, when the Windows Vista operating system becomes generally available on new PCs and in retail stores around the world."

Later on in the statement, the software giant claims that it has "worked closely with security partners to provide technical support resources, access to application testing and compatibility labs, and developer training and certification programmes."

Funny that, as both McAfee and Symantec have been incredibly vocal about the security package that Microsoft has put together for Vista. Both have claimed that the software giant's decision to prevent any programmes from accessing the kernel (using a feature called PatchGuard, which attempts to patch the kernel against viruses and malware itself) actually makes the upcoming operating system less secure.

This is especially true for security firms, who rely on being able to access the OS's kernel when new threats surface. Since that outrage and the subsequent threats from the European Commission, Microsoft has made changes to the Windows Security Center and PatchGuard portions of the new OS.

You can read the full release here.