how safe is windows 7

raj said:

If i install windows 7 rc do i have to install any other antivirus ?
Is windows 7 safer than Vista ?

Safer, I cannot confirm that. It is overall better then Vista though. I do suggest trying it. It has its own firewall built-in and there are free anti-virus options out there such as AVG. :)

EDIT: I see it didn't take long for other people to jump on this topic. :)

In truth, the OS is only as safe as the user. Some people don't run antivirus software as they know exactly what they are browsing and what sites aren't safe.

Personally I like the piece of mind that an AV software gives to a user, just that little bit of extra security can go a long way.

raj said:

If i install windows 7 rc do i have to install any other antivirus ?
Is windows 7 safer than Vista ?

any windows os is as safe as your internet habits. I don't think anyone here would recommend you don't run an av program. no os is 100% safe from nasties so I personally suggest you get a copy of a good av program and install it straight away.

Hi raj,

As with all other OSes, you need to install AV software. By default, each OS is inherently safer than its predecessor, however you cannot be complacent. It is how you use and configure it that determines its overall security. I use the free Home edition of Avast, Ad-Aware from Lavasoft, Windows Defender and Windows Firewall. All are set to their defaults, and I run periodic manual scans as well.

Windows 7 security is on high level but you have to understand few things.
Windows 7 offers FW very similar to Vista, unfortunatelly this firewall doesn't user-friendly. There is on the market eg. Windows 7 Firewall Controll which offers you much better management if we are talking about "outbound connections".
Build in Windows 7 FW also doesn't close all ports eg. 445 (using by worm Kido) - you can test it on your machine. Just open IE and in address field type this:
\\127.0.0.1\C$
When you'll see explorer window with your disks - port 445 is open.
That's why it is so still important to have 3rd parties software firewall (if you don't have HW firewall) even on Windows 7 which is a new MS baby.

Another thing is if you'll disable eg. UAC, DEP, SRP your security level will be weaker also.
AV's IMO are great but only as on-demand scanners. Prevention should be on the first place, then detection, then cure.
1. Prevention (HIPS, sandbox, based-on sandbox policy softwares)
2. Detection (softwares based-on blacklists mechanism: AV software/Behavior Blockers/Cloud computing)
3. Cure (Backup software)

Above configuration provides you optimal protection level against old threats (AV/BB) but also against 0-Day Threats (prevention).


HTH,
Creer