Slashdot Mirror
BugTraq's Elias Levy Talks Security
LiquidPC writes: "UnderLinux.com.br has an
interview with the BugTraq moderator, Elias Levy or Aleph1. Questions ranging from what he thinks of 'Hacking Exposed' to whether BSD is more secure than Linux. Kind of short, but interesting nonetheless." He notes the interesting difference between the approaches to security taken by FreeBSD (which he praises) and Linux -- lots of projects vs. a single unified one, and emphasizes that security is ongoing, not defeating any single problem.
Um, just FYI, he said OpenBSD, not FreeBSD. I think most people would agree about the security of OpenBSD.
I don't even buy that it's 'easier' to secure BSD.
It may take a few less keystrokes out of the box, on any particular version, but that's where it ends.
Running *real* live systems, it takes the same amount of diligence and effort to keep them secured. You have to be aware of each new application you install, and how it impacts your security. It's no different on any OS.
Win2k is not hard to secure; neither is any other MS system.
I don't want to harsh on you too roughly. Blaming the end user for not patching their systems is a bit like a programmer blaming a user for pressing that wrong key at that wrong time that crashes said programmers' code. They are innocent and ignorant. Insisting that they become clued about administering their computers is analagous to saying all motorists should be semi-proficient mechanics before climbing behind the wheel. Its just not practical, and it ain't never gonna happen.
Microsoft sure seems to have money to spend when it comes to sicking the BSA on its paying customers, or lobbying various public officials to look the other way while they break the law, yet seems to have $0 when it comes to educating the masses about the flaws in its products. Why not some full-page ads and television spots: "We're sorry we made a boo-boo. Please visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com to repair your Windows installation, and help keep The Internet safe for all of us." (and I have my doubts about whether that plugs these leaks) How about just putting some "Free MSN and Windows Repair CDs" next to the free AOL CDs you see everywhere. Instead, Microsoft seems to be quite content to allow the rest of us to pick up the tab for their follies in the form of lost productivity, upstream bandwidth fees, law enforcement investigations, etc. I would speak to their possible motives as to why they might want us all to waste our time and money, but I've sworn off the flamebait for a while.
cat