Microsoft officials say they are unhappy that security software maker Authentium has decided to <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2037052,00.asp?kc=EWNAVEMNL102606EOAD">bypass the controversial PatchGuard kernel protection</A> feature in its next-generation Vista operating system, and said that the tactic could lead to eventual problems for users of the company's software. Responding to Authentium's move to circumvent PatchGuard in its products, company officials said that the decision to hack the feature could prove unwise for the security vendor as Microsoft will work to close off any flaws that allow unauthorized kernel interaction, making technologies dependent on such access obsolete.