Security metrics and issues

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Generalizing

The problem is, the populations are self-selected and different.

An example: people who decide to use Linux tend to be more technically sophisticated than people who use Windows. Technical sophistication increases the likelihood that the necessary steps will be taken to improve security. Therefore, Linux devices are less likely to be infected.

Let's consider the impossible as a speculation: Windows and Linux split the desktop market 50%/50%. And both operating systems have 0 software flaws. The only way to infect either system is active assistance by the user.

Of course, a substantially larger percentage of the Windows devices will be infected. The greater sophistication of Linux users will be the best protection for the computers.

In addition, the attention of those gaining from security flaws must be considered. Currently Windows flaws are worth a substantial amount of money because of the greater number of (unsophisticated) Windows users. Linux flaws are cheap and commonplace.

Because software flaws are expensive and (more)difficult to find, those intending to infect machines have found social engineering less costly. Not even good grammar and spelling are required. The concentrate is now of course on Windows users, though Linux (and Mac) users are potentially equally vulnerable for a given user.

So, as usual, Any generalization is wrong.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 03/25/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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