Linked by David Adams on Mon 6th Oct 2003 19:34 UTC
It's an oft-repeated maxim that one of the reasons that Windows operating systems are plagued by so many viruses, worms, and security exploits is because they are so popular. Extrapolating on this, many have remarked that if Linux, MacOS, or other OSes become more popular, they will attract the attention of virus writers. That may be true, but the increased attention will not necessarily yield the same quantity of viruses and other exploits, says a Register article. Update: Rebuttal article.
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Not to bash MS at all, but its products are less secure by design. With a little effort, one can beef up the security on one a Windows box... the problem is, most Windows users don't really know how to (or even care to, for that matter)...
(Just one example, but a good one...) Defaults like automatic logon for on a user with Admin rights... that's just asking for a system to be compromised.
Don't get me wrong... some linux distros (Lindows) do that default user = ROOT behavior as well... but many others have people setting up user accounts and emphasize not logging in as root unless absolutely necessesary (su).
If someone with access to every critical component/process/etc. is logged in....and a vulnerability on their system is compromised.... they're pretty much SOL.