Security threats Toolkit
Story: Gates takes a side-swipe at Apple, Linux security
Posted by: Pecos Bill (Tuesday 27 January 2004, 7:28 PM)
I think the FBI (USA Internal investigations for those not in the know) says it best:
Dave had some surprises up his sleeve as well. You'll remember that I said he was using a ThinkPad (running Windows!). I asked him about that, and he told us that many of the computer security folks back at FBI HQ use Macs running OS X, since those machines can do just about anything: run software for Mac, Unix, or Windows, using either a GUI or the command line. And they're secure out of the box. In the field, however, they don't have as much money to spend, so they have to stretch their dollars by buying WinTel-based hardware. Are you listening, Apple? The FBI wants to buy your stuff. Talk to them!
Dave also had a great quotation for us: "If you're a bad guy and you want to frustrate law enforcement, use a Mac." Basically, police and government agencies know what to do with seized Windows machines. They can recover whatever information they want, with tools that they've used countless times. The same holds true, but to a lesser degree, for Unix-based machines. But Macs evidently stymie most law enforcement personnel. They just don't know how to recover data on them. So what do they do? By and large, law enforcement personnel in American end up sending impounded Macs needing data recovery to the acknowledged North American Mac experts: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Evidently the Mounties have built up a knowledge and technique for Mac forensics that is second to none.
from:
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/215
(Mac's aren't that much more if you compare evenly. That's not the point, though. The point is Gates should be embarrassed by that comment aka FUD.)
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
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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 -
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
