Security FUD On Linux

bobmatnyc writes "InfoWorld reports that Microsoft is planning an "security assault on Linux" by hyping results of a commissioned study pointing to the number of security holes in Linux vs. Windows, the number of days it takes to fill the patches, and by raising questions as to the reliability of code submitted throught the OS process. I suppose if they focus very narrowly on one measurement of security, completely ignore script-level vulnerabilities, default settings vulnerabilities (such as root access for all users), and the demographics of the user population, as well as a zillion other things I'm not clever enough to think of off the top of my head, they may have a point. "

Comments

Root access for all users??

[LadyLucky]

Who writes this tripe? This hasn't been true in Windows for years! It seems if your only experience of Windows is Windows 95, then of course it's all going to seem silly, but really, get with the program.

Re:Root access for all users??

[Anonymous Coward]

yeah, but who'd let a silly little thing like the facts get in the way of a good microsoft-security bashing story?!

SLASHDOT PROMOTES OFFSHORING!

[Anonymous Coward]

There is a VA Software advert that is showing up on the main Slashdot page that is promoting offshoring! Specificly a white paper about "avoiding the hidden costs" of offshore development.

It's great to know that Slashdot is promoting a practice that is causing HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of techs and developers to LOSE THEIR JOBS... especially when evidence is showing that the practice is HURTING the companies that are supposed to be benefiting from it. Thank you, Slashdot, for promoting destructive corporate practices that are destroying families and that will trash the American economy in the long run.

Come on TACO. Remove this avert from the site! You're all snug as a bug because you have a good job... why promote a practice that is causing other techies to lose theirs?

If this advert isn't removed then we should BOYCOTT SLASHDOT!

Please copy this note onto other threads... editors are putting a -1 on this quickly to avoid discussion of this subject. (This also shows that there needs to be an indicator of whether a message has been moded by an EDITOR or a normal MODERATOR. They use their powers to stop open discussion!)

Why is it FUD?

[sheldon]

This is a hole the Linux community dug for itself, and now Microsoft is going to defend their record against the Linux record. If the Linux record doesn't fair well based on the facts, then maybe you shouldn't be making the ridiculous claims?

Or did you think that by repeating the mantra, "Well of course Linux is more secure" you weren't going to ever have to face up to reality?

Listen, when you realize you're in a hole, stop digging!

Re:Why is it FUD?

[sheldon]

Hmm. You seem to be ignoring the fact that I used to develop on Linux years ago.

There is nothing at all compelling about the platform, so I see no reason to switch back.

BTW, I suspect your personal web page runs on Linux, which means your biased. The fact that you're wasting your skills on Perl indicates to me that you're willing to promote any FUD you can to continue your job security.

How's that strike ya?

eyecon0meter rates /. stuff that matters slowgun

[Anonymous Coward]

as just some more of the FUDgIEst of insecuritIEs/non-facts.

now, if you shift over to the so-called wall street of deceit securitIEs markup, you can find doubt what really matters to these phonIE ?pr? ?firm? scriptdead hypenosys FUDgePackers.

SLASHDOT ME NOW DAMNIT!

[Anonymous Coward]

Free XBOX for 10000th post, NO JOKE!

http://www.redflagdeals.net/forums/index.php

Go there now!!!

Re:Agreed

[kfg]

Don't be silly. 1.3 Billion of that R&D money was spent on DRM projects.

How can you possibly say they aren't serious about security?

KFG