Linux vs. Windows Viruses

Wobbel · 10-06-2003, 10:36 AM

Source : The Register

Quote:

Opinion: To mess up a Linux box, you need to work at it; to mess up your Windows box, you just need to work on it, writes SecurityFocus columnist Scott Granneman.

We've all heard it many times when a new Microsoft virus comes out. In fact, I've heard it a couple of times this week already. Someone on a mailing list or discussion forum complains about the latest in a long line of Microsoft email viruses or worms and recommends others consider Mac OS X or Linux as a somewhat safer computing platform. In response, another person named, oh, let's call him "Bill," says, basically, "How ridiculous! The only reason Microsoft software is the target of so many viruses is because it is so widely used! Why, if Linux or Mac OS X was as popular as Windows, there would be just as many viruses written for those platforms!"

Full Article

Nick Madcat · 10-06-2003, 04:26 PM

Heh good thing I'm despising Bill Gates and using only 98 SE. Most of time i use red hat.

ClawTovski · 10-06-2003, 04:47 PM

Very nice article, good find!

FrYGuY · 10-07-2003, 04:25 AM

Um.

So, basically, it's saying that Windows sucks because it's easier to use?

God forbid the day when I'd have to download an attachment, give it permissions, then run it, rather than being able to run it off the bat. Let's look at the cost/benefit (For me, at least)

I run tens or hundreds of thousand non-infected files for every one which has a virus (I've had two in the 15 or so years I've had a computer). So, which is more hassle, setting permissions for EVERY. SINGLE. THING. I. RUN. Or is it simply easier to not run things from untrusted sources, (which you'd still have to not do under Linux) and run a good anti-virus?

I dunno 'bout you, but I've always found the UNIX permissions to be a major PITA, and I've never been helped by it. Ever.

Oh, and this article forgets that there are different ways for a virus to assume root, namely through various security holes. Yes, Linux has them too.

thunderlord · 10-18-2003, 10:51 PM

hi all
i got 3 cds of red hat v.9 and couldnt install it over cause cdrom died every time when i tried to install it ........ grub or lilo or dos i choose grub and i cannot go manually partition it and got lose touch with mouse on screen it wont touch at all .... cause cdrom just died every time i go manually then i choose automatic partition i passed ...... but funny thing they have problem again in the progress of installing at about 1900 mb for 2600 mb then stop working ..... i rebooted again and cannot access rescue .... i downloaded it from linuxiso.org i got high speed to download it.... i dont know what make it died too many times ? with windows it didnt died at all it is good compatibilty anyone know this problem ?

10-06-2003, 04:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nick Madcat NY'er Supreme Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In you home.....muhahaha Posts: 451	Heh good thing I'm despising Bill Gates and using only 98 SE. Most of time i use red hat. __________________ Of course violence is the answer!

10-07-2003, 04:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
FrYGuY Member Type Guy Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 501	Um. So, basically, it's saying that Windows sucks because it's easier to use? God forbid the day when I'd have to download an attachment, give it permissions, then run it, rather than being able to run it off the bat. Let's look at the cost/benefit (For me, at least) I run tens or hundreds of thousand non-infected files for every one which has a virus (I've had two in the 15 or so years I've had a computer). So, which is more hassle, setting permissions for EVERY. SINGLE. THING. I. RUN. Or is it simply easier to not run things from untrusted sources, (which you'd still have to not do under Linux) and run a good anti-virus? I dunno 'bout you, but I've always found the UNIX permissions to be a major PITA, and I've never been helped by it. Ever. Oh, and this article forgets that there are different ways for a virus to assume root, namely through various security holes. Yes, Linux has them too. __________________ -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK----- Version: 3.1 GB/G/H/J/MC/S d-(--)@ s+:+ a-- C !U--- P--- L--(-) E- W N-(--) !o K--- w++ O--- M--(--) V-- PS+ PE+ Y+ PGP- t-- 5-- X- R(+) tv(++) b-- DI+ D---- G- e+++ h-- r* y++ ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------ Yeah, my computer sucks. You try and do better.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-06-2003, 04:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
ClawTovski Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 32	Very nice article, good find!

10-18-2003, 10:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
thunderlord Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 65	hi all i got 3 cds of red hat v.9 and couldnt install it over cause cdrom died every time when i tried to install it ........ grub or lilo or dos i choose grub and i cannot go manually partition it and got lose touch with mouse on screen it wont touch at all .... cause cdrom just died every time i go manually then i choose automatic partition i passed ...... but funny thing they have problem again in the progress of installing at about 1900 mb for 2600 mb then stop working ..... i rebooted again and cannot access rescue .... i downloaded it from linuxiso.org i got high speed to download it.... i dont know what make it died too many times ? with windows it didnt died at all it is good compatibilty anyone know this problem ?