Microsoft Confident Running Vista without Anti-Virus

Executive claims built-in security features are good enough

Despite Microsoft's operating systems being the main target for hackers to engineer exploits in security, Microsoft's Platforms and Services Division head Jim Allchin said in a conference call, listened into by bit-tech, that he has no problem allowing his son to run Vista without additional anti-virus security.

Um, the rest of the world might not agree with you there, Mr. Allchin, but he points towards the extensive Parental Controls and "Address Space Layout Randomization," which modifies certain Windows components in an attempt to patch security holes that would otherwise affect all Vista users.

Still, Allcin admits the theory won't hold up until Vista's public release. "But I need to say the following: Windows Vista is something that will have issues in security, because the bar is being raised over time. But in my opinion, it is the most secure system that's available, and it's certainly the most secure system that we've shipped. So I feel very confident that customers are far better off by using Windows Vista than they are with anything that we've released before," he said.

Please don't run Vista without an anti-virus, kids. You aren't public relations people.