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The Insecurity of Security Software

Posted by Zonk on from the save-me-from-myself dept.

H316 writes "BusinessWeek is reporting that, despite a number of software products meant to safeguard Windows PCs from harm, a rising number of them endanger their hosts because of poor design and flaws. From the article: 'A new Yankee Group report, to be released June 20, shows the number of vulnerabilities found in security products increasing sharply for the third straight year -- and for the first time surpassing those found in all Microsoft products.'"

10 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. Insecure by MarkRose · · Score: 5, Funny

    Security software is insecure? Maybe it's just having a bad day and needs a hug. *hugs security software*

    --
    Be relentless!
    1. Re:Insecure by kfg · · Score: 3, Funny

      Why don't you just hug MS Windows instead?

      It's not good enough, it's not smart enough, and gosh darn it, people hate it.

      KFG

    2. Re:Insecure by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 5, Funny


      Let's put it this way:

      Windows is the Paris Hilton of operating systems.

      It looks good, but it's wide open all the time.

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
    3. Re:Insecure by stoicio · · Score: 2, Funny

      There's an open Hilton in Paris...??
      Do they take air miles?

  2. "Security software" is an oxymoron by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny
    You get security by having a secure design. If you need to kludge on some software to take the existing non-secure design and patch it up, that proves that the resulting system is also not going to be secure.

    Linux is somewhat ahead in this in that protected memory is part of its "DNA", unlike Windows which ultimately comes from the culture of DOS, which has no protected memory and is not multi-user.

    But still, Linux is only just a little bit better. We need to move to real secure designs such as:

  3. Re:it wasn't supposed to be like this! by RickPartin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh god what is really scary is that I can imagine a slick salesman selling someone Antivirus-Antivirus software. It makes sense if you are a laymen.

    What happens if your antivirus software is attacked? If it goes down you are vulnerable. Here is a $20 program to protect it.

    Goodbye I'm off to get rich.

  4. More products... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, the answer here is simple. We need more security products to secure the security products that are securing Windows!

  5. Re:it wasn't supposed to be like this! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Aside: (but related), I wonder, has anyone ever investigated, researched, done any benchmarks about how many/what percentage of CPU cylces are allocated just for virus checking (and other security checks)?

    Well, if the antivirus scanner that the IT guy at work just put on my 2.4 Ghz. development system, I'd say it's close to 100%. Something will have to be done about it at some point ... it's pretty much brought productivity to a halt.

    But hey. At least we don't have any viruses. Right?

  6. Re:"Security software" is an oxymoron by Couldn'tCareLess · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...but come on man. It's 2006...
    What?! Shit, shit, shit! Last night was heavier than I thought...

  7. Re:it wasn't supposed to be like this! by Spoing · · Score: 2, Funny
    Have you ever heard of a patched roof being sounder than the original?

    Great phrase. I'll have to keep it mind.

    --
    A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.