Microsoft last week shut down a free utility out of Australia that bypassed one of Windows Vista security features, spurring cries from critics of too harsh tactics. Vista only allows updates of code accompanied by a signed digital certificate. The utility, Atsiv, allowed unsigned code to be loaded into Vista. Symatec labeled the utility as “rootkit like” activity and so Microsoft worked with Verisign to revoke Atsiv’s digital certificate. Atsiv’s makers, however, say that the utility was created to allow legitimate code, such as device drivers, to be loaded into Vista, even if those drivers don’t have signed certificates.
Microsoft accused of being “software police,’ say users
Analysis
Aug 6, 20071 min
