Windows 8 vulnerable to hacking: Germany

A German government technology agency has warned that new security technology in computers running Microsoft'sWindows 8 operating system may actually make PCs more vulnerable to cyberthreats, including sabotage. 

Germany's Federal Office for Information Security, or BSI, said in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday that federal government agencies and critical infrastructure operators should pay particular attention to the risk. 

The warning comes after weeks of public indignation in Germany over leaks related to US surveillance programmes. The spying scandal has become a headache for Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of a September 22 election. 

The problem, according to the BSI, is with the use of a computer chip known as the Trusted Platform Module, or TPM 2.0, which is built into Windows 8 computers. TPM 2.0 is designed to better protect PCs by interacting with a variety of security applications. 

But the BSI, which provides advice on technology and security to the government as well as the public, said the joint implementation of Windows 8 and TPM 2.0 chips could lead to "a loss of control" over both the operating system and hardware, without specifying exactly how that could occur. 

"As a result, new risks occur for users, especially for federal and critical infrastructure," it said. 

The statement concluded: "The new mechanisms in use can also be used for sabotage by third parties. These risks need to be addressed." 

Microsoft declined comment on the BSI statement. 

The company provided Reuters with a statement saying that PC makers have the option to turn off TPM technology, so that customers can buy PCs with it disabled. 

TPM was developed by the Trusted Computing Group, a non-profit organization backed by technology firms including IBM, Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. 

The BSI said it was working with the Trusted Computing Group and operating systems producers to find a solution. 

A spokeswoman for that group declined to comment on the specific claims raised by the BSI. She said the group has provided PC makers and users with plenty of advice on best security practices to avoid any threats that they may face.

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Windows8 brings Cloud Computing to all

Interestingly, Microsoft have listed three distinct categories of how people use cloud computing for personal use.

1. File Clouds
2. Device Clouds
3. Application Clouds

File Clouds provide cloud based traditional file storage that give users access from anywhere and examples include Microsoft’s own SkyDrive as well as services such as DropBox.
Device Clouds allow content to be purchased and shared across multiple devices in a transparent way. These devices maybe TV’s, mobile devices and work without the users having to be concerned where the content is stored. The most obvious example of this is Apple’s iCloud.
Application Clouds Hosted in the cloud, these applications allow anywhere access as well as improved document sharing and collaboration. No client software installation and a pay per use model means that these applications are attractive to individuals. Examples include Google Apps, Office365 as well as services such as Spotify.Let us see how microsoft incorpates this features in windows8.

1. A fully fledged operating system with cloud computing

Numerous efforts in the arena of cloud computing are focused on browser based cloud computing. Windows 8 is different. It seeks to provide all the features you need in an operating system while enabling cloud computing. Windows 8 will get installed on your PC, tablet or your phone and offer cloud computing on all these devices along with all that an OS brings.

2. Access to applications over the web

Installation, configuration and troubleshooting of applications will not be the responsibility of the user. In addition, you will not have to invest in buying apps that you do not need over the long term. Access applications when you need them without having to go through the hassle of installation, configuration or maintenance.

3. Freedom from need for synchronization of data on devices

This is akin to the various applications you use over the web wherein you store data that you can access anytime from any of the devices through which internet access is possible, whether it is your laptop, desktop PC, a tablet or a mobile phone.

4. Retention of device storage space

This is a definite advantage over Google’s Chromebook which allows only cloud based storage. The way Chromebook goes about providing cloud computing is not likely to go down well with everyone and may still see people getting apprehensive. Windows 8 strikes a balance with facility for storage on the device as well as in the cloud. This will certainly find favor with people.

5. Ease of scaling of resources

The high cost of maintenance, resource expansion and computing infrastructure will become a thing of the past with Windows 8. Sharing of resources and use of resources as a service will enable a reduction in operational costs. If you are a small business owner, you will benefit immensely from cloud computing services through Windows 8. Windows Azure platform is likely to come in the picture here. Your storage needs and application requirements as your business grows need not be a reason to worry. Scale up the resources seamlessly with cloud computing. Use the applications without investing heavily in buying them and worrying about the maintenance issues. Windows 8 will make this possible through cluster support.

The advantages of cloud computing presented it as a favorable alternative in the world of computing. As and when it makes its presence felt in the general desktop computing domain, the cost of using computing resources will go down significantly. In addition, syncing of data on different devices will become a thing of past. All eyes are now on the launch of Windows 8.

Windows 8 Features

In this blog, I can show the amazing features of windows. If you want to try windows8, It is available for free download, and comes in three different packages:

• (1) 64-bit version – Only the OS
• (2) 32-bit version – Only the OS
• (3) 64-bit version with developer tools

  Support for both x86 PCs and ARM tablets

  Works on both ARM based tablets and traditional x86 (as well as x32 and x64) PCs based on ARM processors from Intel and AMD.

  Windows To Go

  The “Windows To Go” seems to be an exciting feature that basically allows Windows 8 to boot from a USB device (called as Live USB), including user’s programs, settings and files. The feature is designed to work with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and on both legacy NIOS and UDFI firmware. 
  “Windows To Go is a new feature in Windows 8 that enables enterprise administrators to create USB drives containing complete, managed Windows images that users can use to boot and run Windows on any Windows 7 or Windows 8 capable computer. Windows To Go makes it possible for employees to use a managed device whether they work from home, a client office or in a free seating environment. This session will discuss Windows To Go, its hardware requirements and building compatible and complementary software.”
  Another interesting thing about this feature is that, if the USB drive is removed, Windows will automatically freeze, but will continue to operate if the USB drive is inserted back in the next 60 seconds after removal.

  Windows Store

  To compete with Apple, Windows has confirmed the introduction of a Windows Store, similar to Mac App Store, which allows users to browse through Windows applications, while developers can publish their Metro-style apps on Windows 8 devices.
   Microsoft revealed that the Windows App Store will be the only place where users can access the Metro-styled apps.

  Windows 8 User Interface

   The UI is designed to provide a fluid and intuitive interaction and navigation with touch, or a mouse and keyboard.
  Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President, Windows who stated: “Everything that’s great about Windows 7, is better in Windows 8,” gave a quick hands on look at the Windows 8 user-interface. Here are some of the screenshots she released:
  Windows Logon Screen – Unlike the traditional way of entering a password to unlock the screen, Windows 8 can be unlocked by just tapping on the right areas of the screen.
  
  
  
   Windows 8 Start Screen – The Start screen is yet another impressive UI. The screen basically groups all your applications together, which you can easily drag and drop, or add new things.
  
  
  
   Control Panel
  
   Playing Videos in Windows 8
  
  Windows 8 Task Manager

  

  Windows 8 Minimum System Requirements

  It is reported that Windows 8 is expected to have the same system requirements as Windows 7, and will run on existing machines that run Windows 7. Here are the following minimum system requirements to run Windows 8:
  Processor: 1GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor
  RAM: 1GB (32-bit) or 2GB (64-bit)
  HD Space: 16GB for 32-bit (or 20GB for 64-bit)