On 8/16/06, Ian Lynch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The problem is that this is fundamentaly untrue. You mean its fundamentally untrue that I have never inadvertently installed a virus? I can assure you it isn't. You mean its fundamentally untrue that I have to put in the root password before doing potentially dangerous operations eg installing something that could be a virus? I assure you it isn't. You mean I don't have a virus free Ubuntu system without any anti-virus software? I assure it isn't. My XP laptop connected to the same broadband internet is also virus free but protected by anti-virus software which I do not have the confidence to remove to see how long it will last without getting infected and while I am careful with E-mail attachments it would be relatively easier to install a virus on my XP machine than on my Linux one.
Remember, we are talking about OpenOffice.org - not Linux. Remember, the problem that he article brings up about OpenOffice.org is that macros, which can be set up to activate merely by opening a document, can control your system. Now, I'll admit it's been a couple months since I've used OpenOffice.org on Linux (I use OOo on Windows, NeoOffice on Mac primarily), but I don't recall having to enter in a root password to open a document. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that. If malicious code can be executed merely by opening a document - that's a problem. People in this thread have said that if you open a document from an unknown source, you deserve whatever happens to you. People have said that it's a fundamental security practice and common sense not to open a document from someone you don't know. "Don't take data from strangers" kind of thing. Here's the problem - it's a text file. It's a document. It's words and pictures. It's not a program. I'm not security expert - but I would have never thought opening a word processing file could hurt my computer. Especially in Linux or Mac. Especially if the file is in an "open international ISO format". Apparently, I was wrong. But I'm probably not the only one who felt safe opening what is the electronic equivalent of a piece of paper. -- - Chad Smith http://www.gimpshop.net/ http://www.whatisopenoffice.org/ http://www.chadwsmith.com/
