nt-part2_73
Analysis of the Security of Windows NT
1 March 1999
73
10. Conclusion
Our analysis and tests show that there are ample opportunities to improve the security
of Windows NT. The relatively few intrusions so far are due to the fact that the system
has been relatively unknown, and that the principle of security by obscurity has been
used. However, this will not maintain security in the long run.
In our opinion there are no fundamental differences between the security of UNIX and
NT. It is true that there are presently more intrusions in UNIX systems, but we believe
that this is due to the aging factor, i.e. the statement above holds when comparing the
systems at the same state of development and market penetration. Thus, the only rea-
son for more UNIX penetration should be that the system is older and more well-
known. Should these assumptions be correct, we have reason to believe that there will
be an increasing rate of intrusions into the NT operating systems.