[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Windose users are actually abetting criminals indirectly. And Installers
particularly those on this list are doing so directly by installing the
stuff after being fully aware of the problems. And the banks and financial institutions all running windose.
We are lucky cause the value of the rupee is 1/47 of the dollar so for
the same effort the criminal earns 47 times more targeting US and Eur.
As I happen to still use windows and advise customers to buy Win XP to
get regular updates and updates for the updates, I am splitting my reply
in parts.
First, Linux is not 100% compatible with top results, to all the common
hardware that goes into a new system, including internal modems, dot
matrix printers, scanners, cell phones etc.
Second, many internet based services including service providers and
websites are optimised for Windows and Internet Explorer.
Third, security issues need knowledge and understanding of the internet
and its problems. A windows user with the proper knowledge of the same
is as safe and secure as a linux user. My personal experience is that
there are much more graphical softwares and utilities for windows that
help the user to not only be more secure but even keep track of the net
activity without too much indepth knowledge of the OS, as would be
required in Linux and one drawback of linux is that many security
softwares work in root mode only, therefore they require the user to
know the root password. Maybe I am not aware of doing the same in user
mode without root password. Even kppp does not work in user mode without
gksu --> root passwd.
Fourth, I know a Windows user who has accidently used his OS ('98)
without any antivirus loaded for more than a week and he has been doing
online trading on a cable internet. When the av was loaded, no viruses
were found. I know another '98 user whose machine is an old Pentium 233
and his antivirus had expired a few years ago. He uses his system
everyday to make calls to his children in the US. He had no viruses. Net
security depends a lot on what sites the user surfs and what security
levels are set in his browser. A good firewall and live anti-spyware
does a great job in windows for unwanted attacks. The 'HOSTS' file also
plays a crucial role in blocking known bad sites.
Some questions:
Why are viruses and trojans not created for linux? When linux overtakes
windows in client machines, will there be a possibility of viruses and
trojans being created for linux too?
If a linux user surfs the net without a firewall and with java scripting
active in his browser, will his system be prone to hacking attempts and
key logging/password grabbing?
Lets look at the issue in a practical way rather than randomly curse all
windows users/installers. The OS is selected by the user. The installer
has to follow market forces.
As Amitabh said to Shashi Kapoor in 'Deewar'....."First let the windows
based hardware and software manufacturers sign as AHs, then ask me to
sign as an AH".
Regards,
Rony.
--
http://mm.ilug-bom.org.in/mailman/listinfo/linuxers
