Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: Broni on October 02, 2008, 07:18:13 PM

Title: Do you have Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on, or off on Vista?
Post by: Broni on October 02, 2008, 07:18:13 PM

I wasn't familiar with it, so I did some reading, and it looks like some useless crap, so I turned it off.
I wasn't even aware of it running on my computer, until today. I was burning a movie with Windows DVD Maker, and it kept shutting off, saying, that DEP did it.
Your thoughts?

Title: Re: Do you have Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on, or off on Vista?
Post by: BC_Programmer on October 02, 2008, 07:29:44 PM

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) prevents such things as Parse errors or other errors working with data from messing up the program by actually executing that data as machine code.

It's also in Windows XP as of SP2.


not only that, but executing Data as code is a method used by hackers in exploits.

a buffer overrun error, for example, would write say a string past the stack frame- a specially engineered string could be planted that allows for any type of code to execute in the context of the program- so if the program was run as an administrator, that malicious code will have free reign.

Title: Re: Do you have Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on, or off on Vista?
Post by: patio on October 02, 2008, 07:39:14 PM

I turn it off and rely on Event Viewer...why have 2 steps ? ?

Course my Vista experience is way different than Broni's,.....

Title: Re: Do you have Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on, or off on Vista?
Post by: BC_Programmer on October 02, 2008, 07:40:14 PM

I have it off as well.

Title: Re: Do you have Data Execution Prevention (DEP) on, or off on Vista?
Post by: Broni on October 02, 2008, 08:44:09 PM

Thanks guys for sharing.