Gartner: Biggest beta test--Windows

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Windows isn't the problem, its end-user stupidity.

Ask anyone in the IT security sector that is worth his salt, and they will tell you that 99% of all security problems are the result of a complete lack of end-user common sense. Windows can be just as secure as any other OS, it all depends on the operator.

Sure there are a ton of things that could be done to improve their security, and help cover for the lack of end-user common sense, but the same can be said of every other OS's as well, and just about any piece of software.

You are forgetting that Windows was designed for end-user convience, so that the average Joe user doesn't have to know really anything about a computer to be able to use it. The problem arises from the fact that computing, in any form in this day and age, REQUIRES at least some basic knowledge of a computer and security practices in order to be secure.

Everyone likes to point out that Windows gets hit by viri and worms all the time, well for every windows box I have seen hosed by a virus, I have seen just as many *nix servers or mac desktops where the user has left their workspace or the server room, and left the machine "logged in," which as a security professional, is a far more serious security problem, than an end-users ability to double-click on email attachments.

No OS is perfect, and it doesn't have to be, if the end users are either educated enough to use them wisely, or the machines are administered by someone responsible enough to secure them properly. 99% of the problem resides in the User, and they are always going to represent the biggest security threat to a computer system, regardless of what OS is in use, and how far the IT industry comes in developing a truly "secure" OS.

Posted by: tamuhockey   Posted on: 09/20/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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