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Is a virus epidemic really the fault of the users?
Usually, when a major security exploit hits the news, the responses come in two major categories: the idiotic responses that put the blame completely on the evil software vendors, or counterarguments that put the blame completely on the dumb users. Which of these is it?

First, you can't deny that dumb users make the situation worse. Usually, when a Windows security exploit is disclosed, Microsoft will release a patch for it fairly quickly. But many users fail to download the patch or to secure their systems against the exploit. Hence the major virus epidemics of the past few years.

After watching this pattern for so long, it's hard to deny the fact that most computer users are uninformed. It's a simple fact, and not an easy one to change. So what are software vendors going to do about it?

The truth is that while many of these security breaches are, in a way, the fault of the users, the software vendors are also to blame. Microsoft has been hotly defended on this issue, but let's face the facts. They could have taken greater care over the security of their software. If they can't get their patches into the hands of the users now, then why didn't they just make their software more secure in the first place? Yes, the software would have needed more development time. But would that matter now?

If you don't have time to do it once, you certainly don't have time to do it over.
Posted by: Linux_Developer   Posted on: 05/03/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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These headlines will continue.  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/03/05
What does...  webnovice | 05/03/05
um... are you serious?  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/03/05
People pile up anyway  osreinstall | 05/05/05
Nothing can sell more  michael-t | 05/03/05
be serious  MIS Master | 05/03/05
Smallminded Know-it-all  jacarter3 | 05/04/05
What does this have to do with the Story?  kdaulton | 05/04/05
I thought E-Mail viruses were a thing of the past.  UncleBubba | 05/03/05
Wishful thinking of a "out of touch" dictator's sponsorship.  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/03/05
It's not the OS  MacLinsuxs | 05/03/05
Right. Brainwashed much?  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/03/05
You are wrong big time!  NonZealot | 05/03/05
Well, you obviously are a gen-e-ass..  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/04/05
It IS the STUPID OS  Squawkbox | 05/03/05
Stop with the OS bashing  SmillingMan | 05/03/05
I have not yet begun to bash  Squawkbox | 05/03/05
I must disagree  Real World | 05/04/05
Yeah I guess I should qualify my statement better  Squawkbox | 05/04/05
So if more people use the security holes appear  voska | 05/04/05
And if you go to the next level  Wolfie2K3 | 05/04/05
Linux has its problems too.  dgclay | 05/04/05
Other OSes have to be patched too...  Mark Miller | 05/04/05
It's not the OS ....  michael-t | 05/04/05
Terrible sad  kaneos | 05/03/05
He he he: the anti-s/w engineering monster (TM) owned by MS  michael-t | 05/03/05
Software  richhayes | 05/04/05
It is simple:  michael-t | 05/04/05
Unix  richhayes | 05/04/05
The MS we all know....  michael-t | 05/04/05
worms and mailers  richhayes | 05/05/05
Don't get too excited...  Wolfie2K3 | 05/04/05
Learn from OpenBSD!  soulcircus | 05/03/05
I'm sure some code from OpenBSD is in Windows already  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/04/05
Yep, sure does.  UncleBubba | 05/04/05
Is a virus epidemic really the fault of the users?  Linux_Developer | 05/03/05
Ford Pinto owners were terrible drivers for getting blown up when rearended  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/04/05
So tell me...  PA-ITGuy | 05/04/05
Let me ask you this question...  Linux_Developer | 05/04/05
This worm ain't crossing the Atlantic  zmud | 05/03/05
Not entirely true..  Wolfie2K3 | 05/04/05
WRONG AGIAN ZDJOKE!!!! BUWAHAHAHAH!!!!  itanalyst | 05/04/05
Reading for comprehension...  PA-ITGuy | 05/04/05

What do you think?

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