Security threats Toolkit
Story: Gates takes a side-swipe at Apple, Linux security
Posted by: National Security (Wednesday 28 January 2004, 2:29 PM)
People who see hackers as a scourge miss the point. The point is in the realm of national security not lost productivity on your desktop checking bbc news.
If hackers don't challent operating systems in meaningful ways, you had better believe our enemies will. How disappointing to have our first attack come from a Saudi or Pakistani programmer who decides to shut down our grid because the lemmings chose to run Windows because it was popular rather than secure.
I hate to say it, but I almost rejoice every time there is a virus attack because I know that our operating systems do get stronger.
The fact remains that Windows code is crappy code that opens up the core system to serious attacks. Until Microsoft follows the same pattern of Linux or OS X and keeps root access protected the free world is highly vulnerable.
By the way, I don't use any Microsoft software, I live daily in the the Tech world, I boot up my computer, get my job done and largely ignore viruses, worms and trojan horses. I am just so incredibly sorry that most people don't understand just how viable the alternatives to Microsoft are today.
Especially disappointing to me was the choice by the Department of Homeland Security to choose Windows XP as their primary desktops. What a sad, sad mistake. Recenlty, they received a D- from an auditing agency regarding their security level. Depressing...
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
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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 -
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
