avast! and Windows 8 Refresh Feature

[Nesivos]

General Question about avast! products.
Windows 8 "Refresh" feature

   

Reset your PC – Remove all personal data, apps, and settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.
    Refresh your PC – Keep all personal data, Metro style apps, and important settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.

Refresh functionality is fundamentally still a reinstall of Windows, just like resetting your PC as described above, but your data, settings, and Metro style apps are preserved.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/04/refresh-and-reset-your-pc.aspx

Is avast! developing Metro style apps for all their programs so that they won't have to be re-installed after a Windows 8 Refresh?

Thanks

[bob3160]

I've done a refresh and the only thing Windows 8 saves are your personal information
Programs are not saved and need to be re-installed.
Would be interest in finding out if avast! could be developed as a Modern App.


(Metro is out, Modern is in. )

[Nesivos]

I've done a refresh and the only thing Windows 8 saves are your personal information
Programs are not saved and need to be re-installed.
Would be interest in finding out if avast! could be developed as a Modern App.


(Metro is out, Modern is in. )

Programs are not saved except for those that come with Windows 8 like IE10 and programs that you purchase in or get through the Microsoft store.  I doubt you have any apps at this time that did not come with Windows 8 that you got through their store.

In fact Microsoft is planning on upping their security requirements beginning next month on all software that you download from them which I would think would include all Modern apps and Modern like apps that you get through their online store.

Microsoft Security Advisory: Update for minimum certificate key length

Microsoft has released a Microsoft security advisory for IT professionals. This advisory announces that the use of RSA certificates that have keys that are less than 1024 bits long will be blocked. To view the security advisory, go to the following Microsoft website:
http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2661254
To reduce the risk of unauthorized exposure of sensitive information, Microsoft has released a nonsecurity update (KB 2661254) for all supported versions of Microsoft Windows. This update will block cryptographic keys that are less than 1024 bits long. This update does not apply to Windows 8 Release Preview or Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate because these operating systems already include the functionality to block the use of weak RSA keys that are less than 1024 bits long.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2661254

Microsoft says "No!" to insecure certificate practices
by Chester Wisniewski on September 11, 2012 | 4 Comments   

Filed Under: Featured, Privacy, Vulnerability

Shield courtesy of ShutterstockPatch Tuesday is here, and I'd like to draw your attention to a broader policy decision Microsoft will be deploying next Patch Tuesday (October).

The strength of digital certificates is something I frequently write about here on Naked Security because I believe we all too often fall back to the lowest common denominator. Microsoft's market dominance means that, like it or not, they are somewhat responsible for establishing the minimum accepted practice.

Beginning in October, Windows computers consuming updates directly from Microsoft will no longer accept digital certificates that are signed with RSA keys smaller than 1024 bits.

This includes SSL certificates, Authenticode code signing certificates, email certificates, and any other certificates validated by the Windows Crypto APIs.

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/09/11/microsoft-says-no-to-insecure-certificate-practices/

My guess is that a lot of the legitimate apps written these days for Windows already come with signed RSA keys of at least 1024 bits

Thanks for pointing out the new name for Windows 8 apps. "Modern"? yuk.  That is awful

[bob3160]

Thanks for pointing out the new name for Windows 8 apps. "Modern"? yuk.  That is awful

Yes, especially since it's so old fashioned. Looks like something from Windows 3.1

[Nesivos]

Thanks for pointing out the new name for Windows 8 apps. "Modern"? yuk.  That is awful

Yes, especially since it's so old fashioned. Looks like something from Windows 3.1

Just think of where Microsoft can go with the name Modern in future software generations.

1. Post-Modern
2. Deco
3. Cubism
4. Renaissance
5. etc