Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 4th Apr 2006 18:53 UTC
Privacy, Security, Encryption In a rare discussion on the severity of the Windows malware scourge, a Microsoft security official said businesses should consider investing in an automated process to wipe hard drives and reinstall operating systems as a practical way to recover from malware infestation. "When you are dealing with rootkits and some advanced spyware programs, the only solution is to rebuild from scratch. In some cases, there really is no way to recover without nuking the systems from orbit."
Thread beginning with comment 111510
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Linux security vs Windows Security
by SEJeff on Wed 5th Apr 2006 00:06 UTC
SEJeff
Member since:
2005-11-05

I really do hate to say this as I will sound like a fanboi saying it, but I don't get any viruses on Linux. My parents don't get any viruses on their 3 linux computers. My buddy doesn't get any viruses on his linux computer.

None of those machines run antivirus or antispyware software, just a simple firewall with no open ports. XP is a mess, even with SP2, I see machines hopelessly infected with spyware and is sickens me.

Once Vista is (finally) released and more secure, then Linux will have a bit more of a competitor. In the meantime, there isn't much of a comparison.

CuriosityKills Member since:
2005-07-10

SEJeff honestly do you think viruses don't exist on Linux because its more secure?

I thought people write viruses to cause big impact. What would they get by trying to infect <5% of total desktops that too when 90% of them are run by tech savvy people?

Think...a lil bit more please.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 0

Jarsto Member since:
2005-10-06

"I thought people write viruses to cause big impact. What would they get by trying to infect <5% of total desktops that too when 90% of them are run by tech savvy people?"

What would they get by trying to infect Google?

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

Ookaze Member since:
2005-11-14

SEJeff honestly do you think viruses don't exist on Linux because its more secure?

I can assert it. Look for "Linux virus howto" to get some clue.

I thought people write viruses to cause big impact. What would they get by trying to infect <5% of total desktops that too when 90% of them are run by tech savvy people?
Think...a lil bit more please


And would people get by writing so much viruses for IIS, infecting < 21 % web servers when 90 % of them are run by tech savvy people ?
Think ... a lil bit more please.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2

SEJeff Member since:
2005-11-05

Are you honestly that ignorant of the facts, or are you just trolling? <5% desktops is an irrelevant figure as there are quite a bit of Linux servers on the internet. It's funny how most of the exploits you see are for crappy php software or web applications instead of Apache. Can the same be said for IIS?

I listed a number of reasons *why* linux is more secure. The only comparable feature XP has is that it uses the NX (No eXecute) bit on newer cpus. I listed 6 reasons why linux is more secure and XP only has one of those. I didn't get into default users being administrators OR firewalls whatsoever so that could be a few more. Linux is more secure because security was built-in from the start, not bolted on as an afterfact. Linux spawns from the ideas of Unix/minix with full multiuser, security, and networking. Windows spawns from DOS, single user, no security, and (initially) no networking.

Linux is more secure because it is built on a more solid foundation.

Maybe *you* should think a lil bit more please?

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2