by Jonathan » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:55 am
Perhaps they should study Linux and Mac to get some ideas. Windows doesn't have more viruses simply because it's widespread, it's because of the design.
Example: With windows, a file is either executable or not depending on the file extension. Get an email with "Check out this screensaver!", click on it, and you've just unleashed havoc on your computer.
A Linux user would have to read the email, save the attachment, give the attachment executable permissions, and then run the executable.
Add the fact that with Linux and Mac there is a strong separation between a normal user and the priviliged root user . Linux users are taught not to run as root, and Mac doesn't allow it unless the option is enabled first.
Microsoft? If you're the first to put your name in, you are the administrator (root) and have the power to do anything you want with the computer. And even if you aren't the admin you can still add dlls and other system files that have enough permission to damage the system.
There are lots of other things that make windows vulnerable.
Perhaps they should study Linux and Mac to get some ideas. Windows doesn't have more viruses simply because it's widespread, it's because of the design.
Example: With windows, a file is either executable or not depending on the file extension. Get an email with "Check out this screensaver!", click on it, and you've just unleashed havoc on your computer.
A Linux user would have to read the email, save the attachment, give the attachment executable permissions, and then run the executable.
Add the fact that with Linux and Mac there is a strong separation between a normal user and the priviliged root user . Linux users are taught not to run as root, and Mac doesn't allow it unless the option is enabled first.
Microsoft? If you're the first to put your name in, you are the administrator (root) and have the power to do anything you want with the computer. And even if you aren't the admin you can still add dlls and other system files that have enough permission to damage the system.
There are lots of other things that make windows vulnerable.