Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Thu 2nd Sep 2004 19:56 UTC, submitted by Jon Cooper
"We evaluated the security features of Windows XP SP2 on a test machine, following a clean install of XP Pro with no configuration changes and no third-party software or drivers installed. We installed XP with the NTFS file system, choosing all of the factory defaults, then patched it with each recommended security update including SP-1 (required), before installing SP2." Read the rest at TheRegister.
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His whole rant is written with the assumption that the users will have the knowledge to re-enable things they need. That he tries to insinuate the average home user is going to even know what a DHCP Client service *is* - let alone to enable it - so they can dial in is ridiculous.
Then they'll do what they do now: call someone who knows how to do it, or read the instructions that can easily be provided by ISPs or computer manufacturers.
The choice is:
Have to tell them how to turn off the services they don't need. The average user will be lucky to make it this far. They won't listen to further advice about safeguarding the services left on.
Or:
Have to tell them how to turn on the services they need and get an opportunity to help them do so in a safe manner by making sure they have the appropriate safeguards in place.
Neither offers any particular advantage in terms of initial complexity. The latter might be slightly easier, as it's usually easier to turn something on than off.
The latter offers significant long-term gains as it provides an opportunity to educate users about firewalls, AV software, etc. before they can consider the task "finished".