The Single Best Reason to Upgrade to Windows 7? Security
You may not like the idea of giving up your beloved Windows XP, but it's time to face facts: That leaky old OS is nowhere near as secure as Windows 7 (or, for that matter, Vista).
Don't take my word for it: PC World recently rounded up five things you should know about Windows 7 security, starting with its protected kernel (i.e. core). Here's an excerpt:
The kernel is the heart of the operating system, which also makes it a prime target for malware and other attacks. Basically, if an attacker can access or manipulate the operating system kernel they can execute malicious code at a level that is undetectable by other applications or even by the operating system itself. Microsoft developed kernel-mode protection to protect the kernel and ensure there is no unauthorized access.Other Windows 7 security advantages include safer Web browsing, the much-maligned (but undeniably effective) User Account Control, and a robust batch of built-in security tools.
Speaking of which, I'd go so far as to say that as long as you have a firewall-equipped router and effective e-mail filtering (either at the server level or via Gmail), you can run Windows 7 systems without any third-party security software. I do.
I know lots of people who stubbornly refuse to upgrade, yet are constantly dealing with spyware and other security problems. It's time to abandon the Windows XP ship, if for no other reason than it's too costly and time-consuming to protect.
Agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments.