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Experts disagree
>>Still, you would be more likely to be hit by lightning that get a virus
on Linux right now. They just are not circulating. You can name off a big long list if you want, but they never spread, and were never seen by the average desktop user<<

Looks like antivirus companies disagree with your assessment:
http://www.centralcommand.com/pr13102004.html
http://www.networkassociates.com/us/about/press/corporate/2005/20050505_121957.htm
http://www.linspire.com/products_virussafe_whatis.php

But hey, they're just out to make money. Interesting thing though, security experts also disagree with you:

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid14_gci886690,00.html

Besides, it's not just about viruses. Code exploits exists. Phishing scams exists. Your OS is ultimately only as secure as YOU (the user) makes it.

You hit the nail on the head when you said
>>users tend to be less technical and more gullible<<

Which is exactly my point. A good Linux user knows how to secure their box. So does a good Windows user. A secured Windows machine is NO LESS VULNERABLE than a secured Linux machine. I would definitely agree that it takes more to get Windows to that point, but that equation is definitely changing.

>>it is very unlikely that people will atack Linux<<

I totally agree. Right now there is no payoff for people to attack Linux. But this doesn't mean that the OS is more secure. It just means the holes haven't been found yet because fewer people have bothered to try.
Posted by: java.user   Posted on: 10/07/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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I ...I .... I'm at a loss for comment  rick752 | 10/06/05
Now, before you go attacking Microsoft-  carlito408@... | 10/06/05
Out of curiosity...  java.user | 10/06/05
A partial answer.  Cardinal_Bill | 10/06/05
Well, right now, with Linux, yes. There are no viruses / worms out there of  DonnieBoy | 10/07/05
Riiiight, there are no Lnux exploits...  Real World | 10/07/05
Nice MS marketing line  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
Aparently you missed the part  Real World | 10/07/05
I got your point  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
Here is what you clearly don't get  Real World | 10/07/05
56 known Linux 2.6.x security advisories  java.user | 10/07/05
Read it again...  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
Read the security reports  java.user | 10/07/05
56 known Linux 2.6.x security advisories  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
Missed the point have we?  java.user | 10/07/05
The point  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
mjb: I did NOT say that Linux has no viruses. I said that  DonnieBoy | 10/07/05
In closing  Real World | 10/07/05
In closing. Getting a virus on a Windows desktop is 10,000 x more likely  DonnieBoy | 10/07/05
re: the Point  java.user | 10/07/05
Still, you would be more likely to be hit by lightning that get a virus  DonnieBoy | 10/07/05
Experts disagree  java.user | 10/07/05
Well, we can agree in many places, with the small number of Linux users,  DonnieBoy | 10/07/05
Oh, that report of Linux antivirus demand growing was from March 2003  DonnieBoy | 10/07/05
Sources?  java.user | 10/07/05
Actually... yes.  sgk284 | 10/07/05
A few corrections  java.user | 10/07/05
One more thing  sgk284 | 10/07/05
Actually I was arguing XP not Vista  java.user | 10/07/05
FAQ: Inside Microsoft's Client Protection  Loverock Davidson | 10/06/05
And I'm impressed too!  Jeff Spicoli | 10/06/05
Ya gotta understand Loverock D . . .  abcpc123 | 10/07/05
Yes, Loveboy does have his head that far...  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
LOOK HERE EVERYONE!!!  Loverock Davidson | 10/07/05
Look here everyone!  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
You see that  Loverock Davidson | 10/07/05
Your team  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
You're looking at this wrong  sgk284 | 10/07/05
I'm looking at it positively  Loverock Davidson | 10/07/05
Positively  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
internet was going to explode  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
1998?  friedcow | 10/07/05
1995  jacarter3 | 10/07/05
Agree with Ax on this one  rick752 | 10/07/05
Let's count  java.user | 10/07/05
LOL, sorry but counting distros isn't right  maldain | 10/10/05
Hahaha, it's a starting point =P  java.user | 10/10/05
Just one little tidbit  sgk284 | 10/07/05
RHN  java.user | 10/07/05
MS Security  sgk284 | 10/07/05
It's a work in progress  java.user | 10/07/05
It's a mixed bag, but it's not as good as you make it out to be.  olePigeon | 10/07/05
DAMN!  Cardinal_Bill | 10/06/05
no need to worry  Jeff Spicoli | 10/06/05
LOL  java.user | 10/06/05
No kidding  Chad_z | 10/07/05
I've said it before and I'll say it again  Michael Kelly | 10/07/05
I agree with ya Mike  Monkey_MCSE | 10/07/05
The difference is  Michael Kelly | 10/07/05
because...  Monkey_MCSE | 10/07/05
forgot one thing Mike  Monkey_MCSE | 10/07/05
Still don't think that would fly  Michael Kelly | 10/07/05
It doesn't matter that they left the hole  Real World | 10/07/05
Actually  Michael Kelly | 10/07/05
AN Advertisement for Microsoft  DarbyOhara | 10/07/05
Like the electric utility selling you a back up generator because  jupco | 10/07/05
Yep  java.user | 10/07/05
Is everyone missing the obvious here?  Sir_Chancealot | 10/07/05
If you thing THIS article is amusing ...  rick752 | 10/07/05

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