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Security Flaws May Be Microsoft's Undoing
tarpitt writes: "According to this article in the LA Times, repeated software flaws in Microsoft products has begun to raise concerns that they 'threaten the stability of a major piece of the world economy and to raise questions about Microsoft's future.' Flawed security is seen as a stumbling block to accepting Microsoft sponsored on-line services. It is also driving discussion about making software manufacturers liable for damages caused by flawed products." This piece in eWeek on troubles with XP's automatic updates is an interesting companion; releasing often doesn't seem to be enough.
Update: 01/15 15:00 GMT by J :
Bruce Schneier's
January Crypto-Gram
came out this morning, and is also topical: "Microsoft treats security vulnerabilities as public relations problems. Until that changes, expect more of this kind of nonsense..."
They would never support that type of Tomfoolery that Microsoft is doing to make XP unstable.
Keeping
Please refrain from using "..." in such rapid succession. I'm not totally mad because you used "than" rather than "then" in the subject line.
Keeping
"We're going to make our systems more resistant and more resilient," said Microsoft's director of security assurance, Steve Lipner. "We want to be unquestionably, unequivocally the best."
Nobody should say Microsoft isn't taking security serious; they've even got a official 'no worries mate' person.
"Yes sir, I positively assure you that security is no problem whatsoever, I just checked with our very talented programmers, and they, on their part, assured me that they knew of no faults in our great software, and thus, I feel secure to absolutely assure you that you are safe as a lamb."
"But our server just got hacked this morning"
"So? How is this our problem sir? I suggest you contact the hackers and work it out with them. Good day sir."
---
"The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
I disagree. Many of the virus problems that have plagued MS are because they included features along with brain-dead defaults that made it easy for viruses to propagate.
For example, hiding known file name extensions by default often tricks users into launching an executible attachment when they think it's a jpg or somesuch.
For example, executing code automatically, especially in preview windows was a stupid default.
The list goes on and on. The bottom line is the features and defaults were seemingly determined by marketing personel.
My company has a clear conscience. We produce a line of videos of women crushing live furry rodents with the spikes of their high heels. Why won't these damn PETA people just leave us alone? We run a legitamit business!
Shit, does that mean that "the security testing group at MS consisted of two Norwegian Black rats, a four-year-old, and a blind, deaf, chimpanzee with a drinking habit" will lost their jobs??????
I sure would't like to see that happen' I like animals, M$ products for sure not (bugs ain't animals)
Quitter!
Where can I get "Virgins' best sex techniques"?????
Please
MS's software has more security problems than you can count, yet Linux still has virtually no desktop presence. The problem isn't security, obviously, since Linux is much better than Windows in that area, but in market dynamics. Until Linux or some other competitor finds a way to unseat Windows and deliver some serious financial pain to MS, the current situation won't change at all.
t_t_b
I'm on PJ's "enemies" list! Are you?
Ha ha.
I sacrifice my karma on tha altar of smugness...
Tom.
Oh arse
--the irony nazi
Bringing irony to the Slash-masses