Antivirus is 'completely wasted money': Cisco CSO

TalkBack 21 of 75:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

Types of Security Problems

I agree that Linux and Macs aren't necessarily safer overall to Windows PCs. However, the areas in which they are more vulnerable differ from Windows. Windows is more vulnerable to attacks by Trojans (especially where permission is granted for the user to run outside programs).

However, the *nix machines tend to be more vulnerable to attacks from worms. This might provide some benefits (especially with a good firewall system that scans incoming communication before devices get infected). Still, areas of vulnerability still exist.

Also, as you noted, Windows is the number one target mainly because of its widescale use. (It certainly doesn't help that Microsoft's public image is low among hackers.) When the have such a large portion of the market, attacking them ends up giving the hackers more bang for the buck (so to speak). Why go after a company with 15% of the computers out there when you can write an exploit for about 80% of the market?

That being said, though, that Microsoft has another disadvantage. More legitimate programs are geared to run on Windows than other OSes. Because of this, the architecture tends to be more open to run the variety of programs needed for business and specialized purposes.

With the push for more web-based applications, this may change but the problem will not disappear. As other OSes try to make their way into the field dominated by MS, they will also need to accomodate the development of programs used in these businesses. (Note: By business, I'm not talking just the office. I'm talking about PCs on the factory floor or in the lab that has very unusual needs including connectivity to hardware that is not found in the home.)

In conclusion, I find that other OSes are more secure in some ways but still have holes that can be exploited. As they try to move away from the niche market, they will be stressed by the need to handle specialized tasks which will cause greater vulnerability. Also, as they grow, they will gain greater visibility as a target to be attacked.

In other words, every computer has it weak spots. All OSes stink because of that.

Posted by: slaskoske   Posted on: 05/22/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Dell Delivers Innovative Mobile at Saint Cecilia's Wandsworth Church of England School Dell Saint Cecilia's was a new school that wanted to place ICT at the core of ... Download Now
• File System Auditor Version 2.0.8 ScriptLogic File System Auditor? allows administrators to audit file access, generate ... Download Now
• Rethink Endpoint Security Trend Micro Watch this informative video on endpoint security solutions straight from ... Download Now