Some funny MS Propaganda

[JoeHill]

On Wed, 1 Oct 2003 10:15:19 -0400 
"Ellis, Steve" <steellis-MemsRbtxb9FWk0Htik3J/w at public.gmane.org> uttered:

> A further point is that it is the M$ market share that makes it easy
> for code to be written to exploit any vulnerability. It would be
> harder for worm and virus programs to propagate if there was a more
> diverse Internet client O/S's as code would have to be included to
> detect the O/S, version, email client, etc..

Which was the point of the CCIA's report, yes. I agree, but I think that
MS uses the "we're just a bigger target because we're so successful"
spin to deflect legitimate criticism of their flawed approach to
software design. That spin should be debunked wherever and whenever
possible.

> However as for security and vulnerabilities the onus is on the user to
> protect and maintain their systems. The use of *NIX is not a guarantee
> of security. It never ceases to amaze me how many new LINUX users are
> logged in as root or run services as root. New vulnerabilities will
> always be found in existing and new code, patches will be written, but
> will the user communities actually patch their systems?

Again, in full agreement, but I'd still put a default install of *nix up
against a default install of Windows for being far less vulnerable to
trivial exploits. It is a shared responsiblily, in the end, between
coders and users to approach their use of the network with security in
mind, much as it is a shared responsibility between auto manufacturers
and drivers to make sure the roads are not a bloodbath.

Firewalls and seatbelts everybody! ;-)

-- 
JoeHill
Registered Linux user #282046
Homepage: www.orderinchaos.org
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