Re: Linux/XP
- From: Malke <notreally@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 20:15:21 -0800
Michael C wrote:
> I was reading an article which was saying that Linux doesn't get
> virus's because it has better security. The article even said it would
> be impossible the write a virus for linux. Is there any truth to that?
> I would have thought the reason would be more along the lines of less
> people have got it and those who do are computer geeks so are not
> going to open sus emails. Therefore no one bothers writing virus's for
> it because they won't spread. The article suggested that everyone
> should start using linux to eliminate virus's but I doubt this will
> work because the virus authors would just start writing for linux.
>
There is no perfect software. Linux infections tend to be more of the
worm variety aimed at webservers or buffer overrun exploits used to
take control of a system. Since you didn't give us the url for the
article, we can't examine it to decide if this was written by anyone
with any type of technical expertise.
Here on The Dark Side we are far less vulnerable to the kinds of viruses
and malware written for Windows. First of all, the vast majority of
Linux users do not ever run as root (equivalent to Administrator in
Windows). We don't have to. I haven't actually logged in as root on any
of my systems or any of the systems I've set up for clients in years.
As a regular user, I can't install anything that would impact the
operating system or other user accounts. I can certainly mess up my own
user account, of course. However, the "drive by" installs of malware
aren't possible in Linux. Installing anything is a conscious act
whereby one has to become root.
And naturally all the malicious Windows virus attachments sent in email
won't run on a different operating system.
Repeat after me - there is no perfect software; there is no perfect
hardware. Use what suits your needs best for the job at hand.
There is a rather interesting free program available from VMWare right
now. You can download the VMPlayer and run the Browser Appliance (also
free) if you want to try surfing with Linux. The Browser Appliance is a
VM of a simplified Ubuntu running Firefox.
http://www.vmware.com/news/releases/player.html
Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"
.
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