Microsoft's upcoming Windows Home Server software will include security features taken from its enterprise-grade Windows Server 2003 software, but will not work as a central distributor for patches to PCs on the home network, a Microsoft executive said Wednesday. The new server software, which Microsoft will debut in the third quarter inside a Hewlett-Packard box, has bits and pieces from other versions of Windows -- including some from the upcoming Longhorn server -- but "under the hood, it's essentially technology from Windows Server 2003," says Todd Headrick, Microsoft's product planner for Home Server.
Among the security steps Microsoft has taken in the software, adds Headrick, are to turn remote access off by default, open only those ports necessary for remote access when it is enabled, and to work with third-party vendors on potential add-on security. "We're working with a variety of anti-virus [companies] for them to provide solutions if they want to run it on the server," says Headrick. He did not name the vendors. Like other editions of Windows, Home Server won't come with anti-virus software pre-installed. "Think of this as a new version of Windows if you want," says Headrick.
View: The full story
News source: CRN
3 Comments - Add comment