Security threats Toolkit
Story: Gates takes a side-swipe at Apple, Linux security
Posted by: Scott Marlowe (Tuesday 27 January 2004, 6:47 PM)
Microsoft applications and operating systems are designed from the beginning with more vulnerabilities.
An example is when Microsoft first offered Active X as an answer to Java.
Now, both Java and Active X have had their share of security problems, but Java was designed to provide a sand box from the beginning, so the only danger was someone finding a crack in the sand box walls, which has happened once or twice, and been patched fairly quickly.
Active X, on the other hand, was designed in a completely different manner. The idea being that you would only run trusted code from trusted suppliers. So, the goal with Active X, from the hacker perspective, is to convince the computer that your code is trustworthy. Note that this provides a much larger area in which the hacker can then play.
While security pundits pointed out how unweildy and dangerous this approach was, Microsoft scoffed and claimed it was just as safe as Java. Well, it isn't. Active X is responsible for a great deal of the security problems IE has.
My point here, is that you design a system from the ground up with certain inherent philosophies guiding you. If security is a key sticking point, then you make it secure first, then add bells and whistles.
If bells and whistles are the priority, you design those, and try to tack on some security later when you get a chance.
Unix (MAC OS, BSD, Linux, Solaris, HPUX, AIX, and yes, even SCO unixware) products are designed first to be secure. Features are added after the basics of secure design are taken care of.
Microsoft products are designed around an abundance of features, and real security is often little more than an afterthought.
Anyone who buys Bill Gates' party line about windows being hacked more because it's popular may be interested in some beautiful water front property I have available in the middle of Florida, USA.
Full Talkback thread
Story: Gates takes a side-swipe at Apple, Linux security
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considering the fact that microsoft is the weak li... Adebayo Omo-Dare -
Ha mythos over logos Billy Gates. MS Windows is a... Captain Korn
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BS Bill! Mac OS X is inherently more secure than... Anonymous
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You are right about your comment and there is... Anonymous -
Once again, the naiveté of Bill Gates just astound... tom burkowski
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Gates is right as usual. It's amazing how people'... Anonymous
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Jealous of Gates? Grow up, child.
It takes a small... molymauk
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This is the greatest ball I ever listened to in my... Guido La Vespa
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What a moron.
That's like saying a high number... Tom W.
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Microsoft applications and operating systems are d... Scott Marlowe -
First off, I am not a Mac guy or Linux user. I am... Anonymous
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I am guessing that Bill Gates uses the same Crack... Anonymous
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Why not have a "Cracker Showdown"?
Let's challenge... Anonymous
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I think the FBI (USA Internal investigations for t... Pecos Bill
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This statement by Bill is a bit like someone on a... Anonymous
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Gates is using the sensible defensive strategy: go... Jose L. Hales-Garcia
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Gates understands the situation very well. How els... Clue Giver
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Security through obscurity - that old saw has been... Mac the User
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Windows is fundamentally flawed code and Gates kno... John Davis
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An apt analogy might be the quarterback, who, afte... Anonymous
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There is, indeed, a world beyond Gates and Windows... Anonymous
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Bill Gates? Who is this idiot? Anonymous
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I've used a Mac now for 15 years and never once du... Malcolm Roberts
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Bring 'em on! Hackers make us stronger...and the w... Anonymous
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Noting the large number of major virus epidemics d... Joe
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First Off, Lets agree that no operating system now... Anonymous
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Dear Mr. Gates: Hackers are good for nothing. Pur... Bill Gordon
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There are happy Windows users in this world.
I can... Wayne Johnson
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First off, let's agree that MY SYSTEM is SAFE from... Mac OS X user
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You posted this article too early. April Fool's da... Anonymous
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People who see hackers as a scourge miss the point... National Security
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Maybe Bill should have a chat with his senior vice... Jonathan
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Let's apply this logic elsewhere, shall we?
"A Cit... Anonymous
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This is closer to it:
Baghdad is manifestly safer... Anonymous
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After my initial reaction of "What the heck is tha... Tom Caswelch
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"Just because no one attacks it it does not make i... Anonymous
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Gates is desperate here. The several charges brou... Shane Walker
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Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.... Anonymous
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What an arrogant SOB.
It is his companys lack of p... Anonymous
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Either eat your cake or keep it Bill, but you can'... Rodd Clarkson
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My opinion about M$:
"One can fool some people on... Tim Isher
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I have no idea whose OS is more secure.
I only kno... Darrell Gudmundson
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I don't think that most of you are looking at the... Daniel Belanger
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What is this greatest media ever to hit the planet... Bascule
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Lets see Apple humm yes alot of hackers want to sc... Thomas Belajonas
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$250 an hour eh? well sign me up son. I just hope... C P Will
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$250=cost, not salary. He's saying they COST a lo... Anonymous
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bi'chin like little girls and everyone missin... Anonymous
