Instead of waiting for Microsoft to release the promised application programming interfaces that will allow security vendors to properly function on the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, researchers with Authentium crafted a technique that allows them to disable the technology altogether.

Why couldn't Symantec and McAfee think of this? Most likely because they know better. Microsoft isn't amused and plans to patch Vista and sabotage Authentium's workaround.

27 Oct 2006

Authentium on its website explained that access to Patchguard was required for one of its forthcoming products. While the company probably expected the Microsoft patch, the hack will generate some nice publicity around its software.

Furthermore, it keeps the issue of Microsoft blocking access to Patchguard on the agenda.

Microsoft might have promised to provide APIs, but has yet to publish a timetable. Gartner last week suggested that it will probably take at least one year before the initial APIs will be launched, and even longer before they are fully done.

Independent security vendors can't wait that long. And more importantly, the world can't be left to rely on Microsoft as the main source of security applications.

technorati tags: symantec, mcafee, patchguard, vista, windows+vista, microsoft, antitrust, monopoly