Likely Security Headaches with Windows Vista

Network World is reporting today that Windows Vista will likely cause major headaches for users of existing security software. For example, if you use a VPN to connect to your corporate office, Vista's revamped security scheme is likely to have compatibility problems because of Vista's all-new approach to its security architecture.

From the article: "Not only the vendors, but the customers that have [authentication systems] already deployed are going to go through a lot of pain," says one ISV who asked not to be named. "We knew there were going to be changes, but we didn't know there would be wholesale changes."

On the flip side, Vista should have much better security in general, so after the growing pains, Windows security should be in a much better condition than the sad state it's currently in.

Meanwhile, if you're a VPN user (and not at the mercy of your company's IT department), your best bet is of course to wait. Don't upgrade immediately until you're 100 percent sure you're going to be secure. If the past is any guide, that could be six months or more after Vista's release.