Microsoft sent some holiday cheer in the direction of security vendors this week by releasing new programming interfaces for developers working to create software that can interact with the Windows Vista kernel.
The new application programming interfaces -- or APIs -- will allow security vendors to extend the functionality of the 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. Security companies, including Symantec and McAfee, already have access to the 32-bit kernel, but have been vocal in their complaints that Microsoft has locked them out of the 64-bit version.
The issue is related to a software module called PatchGuard, which is designed to block malicious software from being able to change any key operating system functions in 64-bit Vista. Security companies complained that without the appropriate programming guidelines, PatchGuard would prevent their software from doing its work.
