[Linux-aus] FYA: Microsoft Urges Users Not to Use Windows on the Internet
Leon Brooks
leon at cyberknights.com.au
Tue Aug 19 07:54:01 UTC 2003
Spot the MIcrosoft fan:
http://www.linuxworld.com/story/33969.htm
In a recent article found on Microsoft's web site, users are
urged to purchase additional hardware or software or keep
computers using the Windows operating system off of the
Internet.
It's unfortunate for all the hot air coming out of Redmond
that Microsft still can't find a clue when it comes to basic
computer security. Microsoft continues to demonstrate that
they are years behind Linux and open source innovators in
many areas, not the least of which is security.
In the article in question the author Tony Northrup adopts
the position that the Internet is a bad place where bad
things happen to innocent people. To counter that problem he
offers up that a firewall is necessary. Don't mind the fact
that Windows XP includes a software firewall which the
article admits is insufficient. Don't pay attention to the
fact that there's really noway to turn off some open ports on
Windows such as those exploited by the current DCOM worm.
Never mind that a firewall does nothing to prevent attacks
from being successful if they use a delivery mechanism such
as e-mail.
I'm not going to make a claim that Linux has all of the
answers for security. However, attacks can be prevented much
easier with Linux. The answer is simple: Turn off unused
services.
With Linux, it's quite trivial to turn off unnecessary
functions or configure them so that they don't listen
publicly for connections. While this may seem like a basic
function that should be included in every OS, it's missing
from Windows. Had this most basic function been included in
any Windows operating system, the DCOM worm wouldn't have
been nearly as successful.
[...]
MS to worm: "where do you want to go today?" (-:
Cheers; Leon
--
http://cyberknights.com.au/ Modern tools; traditional dedication
http://plug.linux.org.au/ Committee Member, Perth Linux User Group
http://slpwa.asn.au/ Committee Member, Linux Professionals WA
http://linux.org.au/ Committee Member, Linux Australia
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