Microsoft Security Intelligence Report: Vista is more Secure than XP

Yesterday, in the fifth annual installment of Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Microsoft specified that Windows Vista has significantly fewer security problems than either Windows XP or Windows 2000. The new security report also revealed an exciting reduction in the vulnerabilities of the struggling operating system, this might give the system a new life until the presentation of its next-generation replacement, Windows 7.

Microsoft's latest security report revealed that many new vulnerabilities found in its software were lower in the first half of the year than the last half of 2007, with the Windows Vista OS proving more resistant to exploits than XP. Microsoft disclosed in a report that among browser-based attacks on computers, just 6% targeted Windows Vista computers while 42% targeted Windows XP.

An analysis of security vulnerability and attack trends shows the beleaguered operating system Windows Vista to be more resilient than its predecessor, Windows XP. As the report revealed, many of the reported vulnerabilities for the first half of 2008 (January through June) decreased 19% compared to the same period in 2007, and by 4 % compared to the second half of 2007. 

In its fifth semiannual Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, the company found that vulnerability disclosures in Microsoft software during the first half of 2008 "continued a multi-period downward trend, both in terms of all disclosures and relative to total industry disclosures." According to the report, Microsoft reported 77 vulnerabilities from January to June compared to 116 for the last six months of 2007.

Notably good news for Microsoft's operating systems managers, is the security data on Vista. The report found that five of the top 10 browser-based vulnerabilities affected computers running Windows XP. While no browser vulnerabilities affected computers running Vista. 

Some reports even stated that Microsoft was retiring the Vista brand in its marketing, given the gloomy reputation it has developed over the last 18 months. Microsoft objects any assertions that Vista is being retired and says the operating system remains supported through the development of Windows 7. The software vendor is continuing to advise enterprise and business users, that have been slow to make the transition to Vista, to adopt Vista in order to experience its security and productivity benefits.

Resources:
Microsoft states Vista to be less inclined to vulnerabilities
Microsoft says Vista is more secure than XP
Microsoft Security Intelligence Report: Good results about Vista security