Microsoft To Get Malware Bailout In Germany

hweimer writes "The German government plans on paying to set up a call center to help Windows users with malware infections. I think this has the effect of being a malware bailout for Microsoft, discouraging them and other software companies from writing better code and giving users little incentive to switch to more secure alternatives. How much government money is needed to run the call center is also not revealed." The call center, running in cooperation with ISPs (but not manufacturers), is envisioned to have a staff of about 40.

Comments

Not really

[sopssa]

I think this has the effect of being a malware bailout for Microsoft, discouraging them and other software companies from writing better code and giving users little incentives to switch to more secure alternatives.

I have to disagree with that. Malware problem is usually because of user stupidity. Like any other OS, you can run Windows securely if you don't do stupid things.

The thing is, as we don't care so much about how to properly feed, exercise and clean ponies, normal people don't care so much about computer security. They just want to do their thing. But now they would have a place they know they can seek help from, and who are giving helpful instructions how to not get infected anymore and how to solve their problem. Maybe those hints stick, maybe not, but at least they can get help with the problem (without calling over our fellow slashdotters all the time!)

But what is an interesting piece in the article (and somewhat worry-some)

Before the plans are implemented, however, a decision needs to be made on what sanctions customers who decline to cooperate with their ISP can be subjected to. According to an eco project manager, quoted by the dpa, "Anyone surfing without proper anti-virus software is endangering other web users, in the same way that a car driver driving with faulty brakes is endangering other road users."

I'm sure Symantec will hurray for that, but I don't want someone push an av software down my throat that I don't even need. Even less on my linux server. I really hope it only means those users who have been identified by the ISP to be sending spam out.

But the bottom line is, it's not a "bailout" for Microsoft. Malware goes where the users and money are and any kind of better code or secure alternatives cannot go around user stupidity. Linux is mostly secure from malware because the users generally are more geeky than the casual users on Windows and don't just random stuff from the internet. Repositories also help with this, but if Linux ever gained any actual desktop marketshare and casual users, the 3rd party applications/games/whatever that people want would be downloaded from the internet just the same way as on Windows. But any (good) Linux sysadmin knows there been worms in Linux too and remote hacks are commonplace if the system isn't properly secured (and casual users just wont do that).

Re:Not really

[eln]

as we don't care so much about how to properly feed, exercise and clean ponies

On the contrary, I've had an inexplicable interest, some might even say obsession, with ponies since April 1, 2006.

Re:Not really

[Shakrai]

1. This isn't the role of government.

I'd normally be the first to agree, but isn't a large portion of malware used for criminal activity? Identity theft, botnets that engage in DDoS extortion attempts, spam relays, phishing, etc, etc. It seems to me that law enforcement (i.e: government) has a legitimate interest in reducing the number of malware infections that are out there.

Of course, a call center filled with follow the script support drones probably isn't the best way to go about doing that.......

Re:Not really

[sopssa]

Do you know what you're talking about? What prevents a keylogger to log a user password on windows that do not prevent it in Linux?

Well UAC is built-in to the system. Windows just disables sending the keys to other apps while user is presented with UAC dialog.

But what about when you're running a terminal screen on your X desktop in Linux and sudo to root. Linux kernel nor sudo can't disable the equivalent api's because X, terminal window and several other hooks need to be able to get them. That is a problem with a system build from blocks.

Re:Dumbfounded

[Shakrai]

My income is based on government make work projects you insensitive clod!

So do you work for DOT and vote Democrat or for a defense contractor and vote Republican? ;)

It doesn't say "for Microsoft"

[Bert612]

The press release doesn't mention Microsoft. In fact it states that this new service is for all users with all operating systems. So while indeed 99% of all users run Microsoft, niche systems like Linux and Mac will be helped too. A good idea which will hopefully help improve internet safety for those users who just don't understand the technology they are using, but want to be on the net just like everybody else.

Re:It doesn't say "for Microsoft"

[earlymon]

In fact it states that this new service is for all users with all operating systems. So while indeed 99% of all users run Microsoft, niche systems like Linux and Mac will be helped too.

I like the way you think.

It's very different from the support centers that I call with hardware problems - like when an update bricked my router - that suggested I:

a) re-install Linux to fix the problem,
alternately, b) don't use a Mac, because they don't do REAL networking,
c) if I were only using Windows, I wouldn't be having this problem,

and my favorite -

d) I must be lying because no one has three operating systems in their house - and if I do, then maybe that's what bricked my router.

But - as I said, I like the way you think, and I wish them many good lucks with this endeavor.

Re:What I heard

[Anonymous Coward]

If you actually RTFA (not the blog one, which is from the submitter himself), it never mentions Microsoft anywhere. Nor do the german press releases.

Re:"Hello, Malware center"..

[shutdown -p now]

"Hi, I'm calling about malware on my PC"?

"Buy a Mac". *click*

Same caller a while later:

"Hi, I've bought a Mac and installed XP on it, but, ugh... it seems to be slow again..."