Time to regulate the software industry?

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Like predators trailing a migrating herd, the malware producers are following people who take no responsibility to new devices.

This assumes that all devices are equally vulnerable to predators. But they aren't. Just as an elephant has infinitely more defensive resources than a gazelle, some devices/platforms are just too difficult to exploit. Check with a cracker on that. I have, and the honest ones will admit that they can only exploit platforms which make it possible for them to exploit through bad software/hardware practices. Some devices are much, much, MUCH more exploitable than others. The Natural Selection of the Market will cull those extremely vulnerable devices/platforms out.

But definitely:
Don't exaggerate security problems.

No need to here! When a client suddenly discovers they've been exploited (three so far this month) nothing I could possibly say will calm the panic and sense of rage and fear that results.

Don't give them the idea the software always causes those problems.

I don't. I don't say anthing...because I'm not there when it happens. They wouldn't appreciate the difference between a hardware or software problem anyway. To them, "Windows doesn't work." That's their own conclusion. I can't really argue with that. They're right, essentially--their Windows box doesn't work.

Don't encourage the idea they can escape the problem without a change in behavior.

In fact, they can escape the problem by switching devices. Several clients did last year, with wonderful results. They're extremely happy now. No more security problems/buggy device driver problems. Issues rectified--quickly, cleanly and with a minimum of muss or fuss. In bottom-line business terms (extremely critical to small business), the solution was a winner.

and
Don't make the necessary steps to protect themselves seem major or hugely inconvenient.

Guess it depends on your definition of "hugely inconvenient." Perhaps paying $300 to an outside technician to have your Windows box wiped and all software reinstalled, or being without a computer for a week while it wings its merry way to Dell down in Round Rock may not seem to be "hugely inconvenient" to you, but you dare suggest this scenario to any of my clients, and they're instantly down at Singular talking to the smart phone rep. And the Singular guy can replace it or fix it locally and have you back in business in 20 minutes. No unnecessary visits to Round Rock, either. Not that Round Rock is such a bad place, mind you.

It may not be possible to change their attitude toward computers. But if you can get them to think about oil changing as the best comparison, it might be possible to make progress.

Well, it could be, but you have to remember that business owners tend to be Type A personalities and don't see much need to change their attitudes. They're the successful ones, after all. Especially if just a switching one device for another brings immediate benefits, they have little interest or time for Attitude Adjustment Seminars. And, in the grand scheme of things, I suppose that's the way is has to be.

Posted by: Yen_z   Posted on: 02/17/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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