sherlock@vsnl.com wrote:
Windose users are actually abetting criminals indirectly. And Installers particularly those on this list are doing so directly by installing the stuff after being fully aware of the problems. And the banks and financial institutions all running windose. We are lucky cause the value of the rupee is 1/47 of the dollar so for the same effort the criminal earns 47 times more targeting US and Eur.
As I happen to still use windows and advise customers to buy Win XP to get regular updates and updates for the updates, I am splitting my reply in parts.
First, Linux is not 100% compatible with top results, to all the common hardware that goes into a new system, including internal modems, dot matrix printers, scanners, cell phones etc.
Second, many internet based services including service providers and websites are optimised for Windows and Internet Explorer.
Third, security issues need knowledge and understanding of the internet and its problems. A windows user with the proper knowledge of the same is as safe and secure as a linux user. My personal experience is that there are much more graphical softwares and utilities for windows that help the user to not only be more secure but even keep track of the net activity without too much indepth knowledge of the OS, as would be required in Linux and one drawback of linux is that many security softwares work in root mode only, therefore they require the user to know the root password. Maybe I am not aware of doing the same in user mode without root password. Even kppp does not work in user mode without gksu --> root passwd.
Fourth, I know a Windows user who has accidently used his OS ('98) without any antivirus loaded for more than a week and he has been doing online trading on a cable internet. When the av was loaded, no viruses were found. I know another '98 user whose machine is an old Pentium 233 and his antivirus had expired a few years ago. He uses his system everyday to make calls to his children in the US. He had no viruses. Net security depends a lot on what sites the user surfs and what security levels are set in his browser. A good firewall and live anti-spyware does a great job in windows for unwanted attacks. The 'HOSTS' file also plays a crucial role in blocking known bad sites.
Some questions:
Why are viruses and trojans not created for linux? When linux overtakes windows in client machines, will there be a possibility of viruses and trojans being created for linux too?
If a linux user surfs the net without a firewall and with java scripting active in his browser, will his system be prone to hacking attempts and key logging/password grabbing?
Lets look at the issue in a practical way rather than randomly curse all windows users/installers. The OS is selected by the user. The installer has to follow market forces.
As Amitabh said to Shashi Kapoor in 'Deewar'....."First let the windows based hardware and software manufacturers sign as AHs, then ask me to sign as an AH".
Regards,
Rony.