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Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer announced a host of security initiatives at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans yesterday. The company's aim is to protect its customers' systems against what Ballmer dubbed a "wave of criminal attacks".
This is Microsoft's latest effort to stem the tide of worms and viruses that target computers running its popular operating systems and software packages. The company will add new security features to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, simplify the software patch distribution process as well as hold seminars that teach users to be security conscious.

Perhaps the most technologically significant changes will come from what Microsoft called new "safety technologies", which will be rolled into upcoming service packs for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. These will allow customers to better protect their computers from attack, even in the absence of required software patches. Protections against attacks on communications ports, such as the recent W32.Blaster worm, as well as malicious code in email messages and web pages will also be included. Microsoft could not yet comment on what those changes will be or whether they would affect the Windows operating system or Exchange and Outlook products.

Software updates for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 scheduled for 2004 will include a more robust version of the current Internet Connection Firewall that ships with XP. Future changes will see the firewall activated by default and organisations being able to centrally manage desktop firewalls on its Windows machines.

continued Source: PC Advisor