Is Windows 7 more secure than Windows XP?

Is improved security a good reason to upgrade to Windows 7, if you compare with a fully updated WinXP SP3? What are the features that actually helps preventing viruses in Windows 7? Of course I could read about this on microsoft.com, but I want a major geek opinion.

 

It is my opinion that Vista was more secure than XP. However, if you did get a virus on Vista, it is more likely it will cause irreversible damage to the OS (specifically with permissions).

Since Win7 is built on Vista, the same thing would apply except maybe they fixed the permissions damage problems.

 

The way I prevent viruses is that I have machines with MacOSX and Ubuntu that I use to surf the web. I use Win7 mainly for things like gaming, hulu, pandora, etc. That is something to consider.

 

Security?

http://adrynalyne.spaces.live.com/?_c11_BlogPart_BlogPart=blogview&_c=BlogPart&partqs=cat=Security

 

personally, i'm fairly happy with my Win32 XP Home SP3. i use Mozilla's Firefox (IE only for my personally selected Windows updates and none of the Searchlight/Live garbage) with some great security addons, KIS 2010 (no anti-malware because i believe the Kaspersky features are so powerful i don't need them), will be migrating from Outlook Express6 (LOTS of security holes & limited configurability) to Mozilla's Thunderbird with a couple security addons.

i will need a new computer, eventually, and plan to get a Mac and install XP for the games/programs i have that don't have Mac equivalents or would cost me additional money when the ones i have already purchased work great (namely Kingsoft Office which i have instead of Microsoft Office).

watch where you surf and NEVER click on anything (web or email) if you don't know exactly what it is. if you're curious, copy/paste the link into Google and see what it tells you about the link.

NEVER install freeware because some site has a boatload of "5 star" award logos or so-called customer reviews. look at the more detailed, objective reviews. always check out the product at an objective review site. i like toptenreviews.com, myself. if it's something you really, really want, and you can't find info/a review, ask someone about it.

in the 6 years i've had my current system, i've only had 1 infection. it was a "drive-by" that my McAfee suite and my anti-malware programs didn't catch. i no longer have McAfee (rated #7 out of 10 at toptenreviews, btw) or any anti-malware programs. i just have KIS 2010 which doesn't seem to miss anything and updates every few hours.

as far as "looks" go, you can make your current system look the way you want, or "mega super-cool" with programs that are already out there. currently, you can make it look an awful lot like Vista; i'm sure "looking like" 7 is either on the way or out there.

see this for what i did for "looks" (2 posts with info/pics and 1 post with more info on what i used):

Code:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=203052

 

Like what they said. if you choose to run malicious code, there is almost nothing the computer can do about it. It's kinda like the car manufacturers putting safety belts in your car, but it is up to you to use them.