Hi malware fighters,
The arrival of Windows7 will set an end to infected USB sticks and AutoRun malware:
http://www.eset.com/download/whitepapers/EsetWP-CybercrimeComesOfAge.pdf
New malware will be multi-platform through third party software vulnerabilities - just like the present boot-kits are doing, also new malware will be able to circumvent W7 security.
Actually a tool like Secunia PSI should be brought into Windows as by default, loads of users do not know they also have to patch and.or upgrade their third party software (Adobe/Flash, Itunes, IM etc. or avoid particular insecure software (also for instance in Windows a browser like IE6 or IE7). It is a pity that leaving AutoRun has not been implemented automatically for Windows Vista and Windows XP as well.
A possibility is to adopt a more secure AutoRun-functionality through an update,
re: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
but as far as I am aware this update has not been offered in the form of an automatic update,
polonus