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New Linux Distros Insecure by Default?

Posted by timothy on from the no-good-down-that-road dept.

An anonymous reader submits Two articles on Codefez and NewsForge review releases of Linspire 5.0 and Linare. Both these distributions let the user run as Root by default after installation, and don't prompt to set up a user ID. Is this a start of a new trend of 'dumbed down' Linux distributions that will damage the Linux reputation for security?"

8 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. Morons by Usquebaugh · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I mean they have the chance to sell a reasonably secure OS and insted they do this. Hanging's to good for em.

    1. Re:Morons by i_should_be_working · · Score: 4, Insightful

      if you don't like it don't buy it.

      Insecure computers affect us all. We have the right to be upset.

    2. Re:Morons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If forcing users to pick an admin password is good enough for the single mouse button crowd it should be good enough for the walmart crowd.

  2. linspire by Pinefresh · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Linspire has been doing this for awhile. They're trying to make newbies as comfortable as they can, but unfortunately they're doing it by emulating even the worst ideas of that other OS.

  3. Yes! by Stevyn · · Score: 3, Insightful

    One of the best things about linux is ordinary users don't have write access to the entire computer. This means that if one day linux malware does become a problem (as Microsoft predicts), then it will only affect individual accounts and not the entire computer.

    Aside from malware that probably doesn't exist yet, it's still a good idea to have a window pop up or a console to prompt you for a root password because it lets the user know the action they take may harm their computer. It also hinders mistakes like deleting necessary files from happening accidentally. Security should be the main concern of a computer connected to a network or in an area more than one person can use. This enforces that concept and can greatly protect a computer than if it was always running as root.

  4. stop thinking like an expert by bug1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A clueless newbie should never consider there OS to be secure, they dont have the knowledge to make a judgement on it.

    Maybe a lot of the demographic this distro is targeting doesnt even know what root is.

    Plus, there is a saying (from the *BSD folk i think) "without physical security there is no security"

    Get a bit of perspective, you need knowldege to have security, its not just a configuration issue.

  5. Is it just me.. by rookworm · · Score: 2, Insightful
    or is Linspire a really bad deal? I don't see any advantage over other desktop linux distos (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.), or for that matter OSX or even Windows.

    If you want it free, go with Ubuntu, If you want it cheap, go with Windows, and download freeware apps. It seems like Linspire users are paying just to use a second- rate distro.

    Anyone care to enlighten me?

    --
    The toad can't burp - and for some reason can't fart either, so it swells up and eventually explodes. --Anonymous Coward
    1. Re:Is it just me.. by happymedium · · Score: 2, Insightful

      or even Windows.

      Well, it does have the advantage of not being Windows. ^_^