Windows 8 the most secure operating system?

Windows is seen by many as an insecure operating system, inferior security-wise to Linux and even Mac OS X. And while it certainly can seem that way, considering that most malware authors concentrate on Windows thanks to the operating system’s crushing market share, others have suggested that this impression comes more from the concentration on Windows than superior security of other operating systems.

Microsoft will improve the security of the operating system in Windows 8 further, for instance by integrating a Smartscreen Filter into the system that protects users from malicious files they may run on the system. This feature has been overly protective in test builds though, as it is also blocking new or less popular files from being run on the system. Users can however bypass the protection for individual files provided they know how.

Windows 8 will also ship with trusted/secure boot which prevents unauthorized operating systems or drivers to run on the system. Hardware makers may, but do not have to, provide an option to turn secure boot off in the BIOS. There is also a new version of Windows Defender which comes with anti-virus capabilities similar to those of Microsoft Security Essentials.

A story on the IT Pro Portal suggests that Windows 8 may be the most secure operating system when it gets released. Proof for this claim? Recent security conferences where hackers managed to get into the majority of operating systems but Windows 8. While this may look like solid proof on first glance, there may be other explanations why Windows 8 was not hacked at these conferences.

The operating system has not yet been released, and interest may have been lower because of this. Why bother with a system that is not out yet officially? It is very likely that the final release will spark the interest of security experts, so that we will see additional attempts to hack the system or way or the other after the October release.

What’s your take on the matter? Will Windows 8 be the most secure mainstream OS yet? One thing’s for sure, it will be highly targeted just like all the other Microsoft operating systems.

Big Windows 8 Customisation Thread: Tools, Tricks, Hacks and Help

Hey everyone! I love to customise* my machine and there is no general repository of information for customising windows 8,as far as I can tell. So how about a big thread about everything you can do to make your desktop cool, pretty or whatever you fancy..? 

• Everyone who has discovered a cool customisation hack, tool or setting, please share!
• Anyone who's got [intelligent] questions, please ask!

Let's learn from each other and get on top of how we can master the the GUI of windows 8                                       

Existing Threads:

• How to get the Start button back, (Please see separate thread)                                                                                 Win 8 Wallpapers (Please see sticky thread)       

        Other Potential Topics:

• How to Customise the Start Menu (Metro) -Really change it
• Does Stardock and similar companies make any products for Win 8?
• What other customisation tools (freeware, shareware etc) are available and what do people think of them?
• Real hacks that change the look and feel of windows 8 - Description and implementation 
• How to customise the Desktop - are Dreamscapes and moving desktops still around?
• Cool GUI features that exist in Win 8 and are new (trying to think positively...)
• How to get Aero back, and is there any point?
• Warnings - what NOT to do, or you'll break the installation....
• Help if you've messed up...
• Annoying features and how to turn them off....                                                       *duh spell-checker, this is UK spelling, and it is correct.             

Windows 8 Activation Cracked with KMS Host

The final RTM version of Windows 8 has been cracked. Windows 8 activation can be done through KMS activation hack which has previously been used to activate Windows Vista and Windows 7 has been proven to work on Windows 8 too, although only on installations of volume licensing channel.

KMS activation crack had not been popularly used in the past to activate Windows Vista and Windows 7 as it’s outshone by OEM activation hack which performs instant one-time Windows activation offline without the need to setup any additional host. The OA3.0 in where all OEM computers running Windows 8 now required online activation has made OEM activation much harder to hack, at least until actual machines preinstalled with Windows 8 shipped.                                  
As mentioned, Windows 8 KMS activation crack is nothing new. In fact, it’s an old trick by applying the KMS server with KB2691586 and an valid Windows 8 KMS host key. Currently, there is no valid Windows 8 KMS host key been leaked yet, preventing creation of own KMS host. In addition, as KMS is only used by Microsoft clients who purchase volume licensing agreement, so only Windows 8 Enterprise and Windows 8 Professional can be activated via KMS, provided they’re installed with a VLK (volume licensing product key).
Windows 8 activated with KMS server can be used genuinely for 180 days, allowing all personalization and full features, although it’s still an unknown if the system can pass the genuine Windows validation. After 180 days, the Windows 8 system will need to check against a KMS host to maintain the activated status.
Without activation, Windows 8 runs in “notification mode” where notification watermark appears every 3 hours to remind user to activate the system, and with restricted functionality especially those that related to personalization.
                                                                      

Buy Windows 8 for $15 by Telling Microsoft You Just Bought a Windows 7 Computer

Microsoft is running a promotion where anyone who’s purchased a Windows 7 computer after June 2nd can buy a copy of Windows 8 for a mere $15 USD. Want in on the deal? You don’t have to buy a Windows 7 computer…just tell Microsoft that you did.
As far as we can tell, the loophole has been open all weekend. To take advantage, all you have to do is go to Microsoft’s upgrade page, fill out your details, and when the signup form asks when you purchased your new computer, just pick a date after June 2nd.
You’ll be prompted to run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant on your system to make sure your computer meets the system requirements, but after that’s finished, you’ll get a promo code you can use to claim your $25 discount off of Windows 8’s normal $40 retail price. To see a walkthrough of the process, hit the link below to see how The Next Web did it, and then go claim your copy before the promotion runs out (scheduled for January 31st) or Microsoft fixes the loophole, whichever comes first.
Update: It looks like this loophole has been fixed. Oh well! You can still upgrade for $40, which is still a pretty awesome price.                                                                                                                      windows upgrade offer