May 5, 2009, 6:59PM

Windows 7 RC is now available, but Microsoft's new operating system could use a bit more tinkering to improve security.

Specifically, Windows Explorer provides a way to hide a file's extension. Virus writers use this feature to disguise executable files as something more innocuous, such as text files, F-Secure's Mikko Hypponen explains in a blog post [f-secure.com]. By also changing the appearance of a malicious executable's icon, malware authors have a much easier time convincing users to run malicious software using social engineering techniques. Read the full story [informationweek.com]