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Richard Clarke on Microsoft security

Posted by timothy on from the but-who-listens-to-that-guy dept.

hizzo writes "Richard Clarke, former White House cybersecurity and counterterrorism adviser, harshly critized Microsoft's security track record. 'Given their record in the security area, I don't know why anybody would buy from them.' He also called for some regulation of security for ISPs in addition to better industry self-regulation, such as disclosing QA practices and becoming more accountable for secure code. I wonder if anyone will finally start listening to him?"

16 of 491 comments (clear)

  1. not likely by pHatidic · · Score: 4, Funny

    With all the bribes Microsoft gives to politicians, it's no wonder why he is the former White House cybersecurity and counterterrorism adviser

    1. Re:not likely by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      As for Microsoft's bribing, they had a commendable record of trying to stay the heck out of politics for years, until it became evident that without greasing certain palms that Washington DC would turn on them.

      Oh, well that's alright then. As long as they only started bribing people once it made a difference to them :/

  2. Hmm... by p373 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Gates might have a little trouble calling this guy a communist.

    --
    http://www.thelung.org
    1. Re:Hmm... by commodoresloat · · Score: 4, Funny
      Yeah, right, because the Clinton Administration was communist. Remember how he nationalized the computer industry and sent millions of computer programmers to labor on the collective farm system? And how he used to speak eloquently about the noble plight of the lumpenproletariat? And don't get me started on Al Gore's poetic musings about the withering away of the state....

      </sarcasm>

  3. I'm shocked by novakane007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    A politician I actually like? It's just not like them to tell the truth.
    It's amazing what will be said when people aren't afraid of being black-balled in the IT industry.

    --

    WURD!!
  4. Disclosing QA practices - by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


    "none"

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    1. Re:Disclosing QA practices - by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Funny
      "none"

      I think QA is on the same door that bears the sign:

      SHIPPING
      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    2. Re:Disclosing QA practices - by EnronHaliburton2004 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think QA is on the same door...

      You know you've reached Microsoft QA when the person on the phone says "Hello, Thanks for calling Micrisoft Technical Support, what would you like to report today?"

      --
      94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
    3. Re:Disclosing QA practices - by lateralus_1024 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Not true... Quality Avoidance is job 1 !

      --
      If you think /. comments are bad, check out Digg.
  5. but but but by SunFan · · Score: 4, Funny


    Windows is more secure than Linux! Right? No?!? It was all a sham? Oh, I see.

    --
    -- Microsoft is the most expensive commodity operating system and office suite vendor in the marketplace.
  6. Listening? by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Funny
    I wonder if anyone will finally start listening to him?"

    I believe after his book that many people in Washington stopped listening to him.

    "the war is really hard, uh, you see and we, uh, we're trying to make them all free and ... Karl, what's the buzzing noise?"
    "Ignore it Mr. President, that's just a reporter refering to something Richard Clarke said."
    "Who?"

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  7. Shooting yourself in the foot. by GillBates0 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Don't expect Richard Clarke to rely on Microsoft Corp.'s anti-virus or anti-spyware programs to protect his own computer.

    Yeah...buying an OS vulnerable to viruses and spyware and then buying anti-virus and anti-spyware programs is like shooting yourself in the foot and then running (limping) to the hospital for help.

    And what's more...the hospital profits from lending you a gun and encouraging to shoot yourself in the foot.

    --
    An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
  8. I listen to him... by 3Suns · · Score: 5, Funny
    I wonder if anyone will finally start listening to him?

    I watch his "Rockin' New Years Eve" program every year, and I expect lots of other people do too. I had no idea he was into computer security as well, though.
    --

    -3Suns

    ~~~~
    The Revolution will be Slashdotted
  9. Its about COMPATIBILITY, nobody will switch by DickBreath · · Score: 4, Funny

    People will not switch from Microsoft until an alternative system is compatible with all of their favorite spyware, adware and worms.

    --

    I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
  10. Al Quaeda by oil · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, no one in the Bush Whitehouse listened to him about the threat from Al Quaeda before the 9/11 attacks, so why would Microsoft bother to listen to him.

  11. Just wait.... by theendlessnow · · Score: 2, Funny
    I just got a message letting me know that my account had been sending out a lot of spam and it came with an attachment to help clean the virus off my system.

    Now that's good proactive security. Everyone will be receiving their message soon. Keep up the good work!