There is no such thing as a pick proof lock.
There is no such thing as hack proof software.
If someone can do it, someone can undo it.
I used to hear this "its a known bug in Linux" stuff, to which I usually replied, "a
known bug in Linux has a life expectancy of two weeks". Basically the Linux community got
right to fixing it as soon as it was found. These days, who knows?
Unix, all flavors, is as safe as the sys-admin is competent. The thing with
open source software like Linux is that it can be fixed by anyone who knows how
to program. You don't have to wait for Bill Gates to milk the corporations as
much as possible before it gets fixed.
So yes there are virus that attack Unix, including Mac OS X, but usually the OS
gets fixed instead of having to buy expensive anti-virus software to protect
the system. But once again it is the sys-admin's job to see that the fix is
added. Unix and other multi-user OS's are intended to be administered by a
knowledgable professional. Often they are not, but that is hardly the OS's
fault.
Apple has it easy. They sell a package deal. They do not support anything but
that package. Anything in the computer that is not from Apple is your problem,
period. With PC's it is anybody's guess what is in the box (unless you build it
yourself) that makes it much harder to support, but gives the buyer a lot more
choices.
It is not a case of better, it is just a case of different.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
-----------------------------------
P. J. Alling wrote:
I'm an old Unix Hacker, there are lots of ways to get things in Unix to
run as Root. I'm not going to explain more, other people have published
descriptions in books and on the Web. If you're curious look it up.
Joaquim Carvalho wrote:
P. J. Alling wrote:
I expect so. Linux and various flavors of Unix have their own brands
of Viri, (I know not the proper plural of Virus but hey it's a
mailing list),. Most virus writers these days depend on "kits". I
expect to see a few for the Mac real soon now.
I ask again where did you hear about viruses for Linux or any other
flavour of Unix.
On any UNIX (Linux, BSD, Mac OS X or any other) a process needs to be
running as ROOT do do any damage to the system. (a would-be virus
would have to ask: "Please type in the root password for this system")
This is the reason why UNIX is safe and Windows isn't. If you don't
work for Microsoft you shouldn't spread their FUD (Fear, Uncertanty
and Doubt) Of course any software you run on UNIX can have access to
your /home directory but that's as far as it goes.
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.7.8/22 - Release Date: 6/17/2005
