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Story: How to talk to Microsoft about Linux

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Posted by: Mathias De Maré (Monday 14 June 2004, 5:30 PM)

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Well, sorry to burst your own bubble, but I'm afraid you're incorrect on this one.
What you are saying is just one of many misconceptions that exist about Linux.
Actually, even if Linux would own 90 % of the desktop market, viruses would still not pose a huge threat, as they do now to Windows.
I have to be honest, I'm not an expert at this, but I'll tell you what I know.

One reason why viruses couldn't do such a great damage to Linux, is because they wouldn't be able to access the "root", or at least not just like that.
The root controls the entire computer, if you have access to the root, you can destroy all of the information on the hard drive easily.
However, Linux users (or at least if they're smart) don't access the root, except to install programs.
This way, a virus can only damage 1 single user account.
And even then... Linux viruses wouldn't be able to spread fast and would not do harm to much computers.
A virus on Linux can only do damage to the computer if you actually give the program a command to let it run.
In windows, a virus can just start out of itself, but it can't in Linux.

The fact that Linux doesn't own much of the desktop market (but I do think it's at least 2%), does play a role, but not that much.

One more thing to think about: did you know Linux DOES have a large share in the SERVER market?
So why don't we hear about Linux server viruses being released all the time?

Because there's no use in making them, they won't do damage.

Bye,
Mathias De Maré

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Full Talkback thread

Story: How to talk to Microsoft about Linux

  1. I am sorry to have to be the one to break your bub... Michael Kingston
  2. Hey Michael Kingston! You should check your f... Another 'Linux Zealot'
  3. this is the first time ive posted here, i don... kre
  4. Well, sorry to burst your own bubble, but I'm afra... Mathias De Maré
  5. That isn't true. Windows isn't secure and it has t... Anonymous
  6. Oh, and something I forgot to mention: the fact th... Mathias De Maré
  7. i'm sorry Mike, but you need to learn and use Linu... Edward
  8. Linux is the kind of operating system that has suc... J Hill
  9. "You should very well know that not even 1 percent... paleo
  10. All these arguments about security and which OS is... Allister Jenks
  11. There is much ignorance about the issue of Linux a... Henry G
  12. Actually, its the arrogant attitude of superiority... Anonymous
  13. This article is interestingly biased towards Linux... Derek R.
  14. haha this is getting funny. Whoever posted this an... Raab
  15. This is a crazy article, so obviously biased that... John Allen
  16. I agree with John Allen. This article was poorly g... David Wright
  17. Sigh... It's a straightforward article really. Ask... Arthur B.
  18. To Anonymous USA, the network administrator. We ar... Jack Mac
  19. Don't forget to ask about the cost of CAL (client... Dan Kegel
  20. Not to mention, on the interoperability front Can... Anonymous
  21. I like the idea that one linux club came up with.... Jerry Watson
  22. Since we seem to be having a Linux Vs Windows deba... Ben Noble
  23. Oh, and to illustrate my point about the User Inte... Ben Noble
  24. I am going to introduce you all to a concept that... Anonymous
  25. After reading these messages, you see M$ shills sp... Kiko
  26. Wow Derek. Spokken like someone who chooses someth... Jeff Stone
  27. Just a response to Kiko's message.... "Newsflash:... Ben Noble
  28. Cheri
  29. Response to Ben Noble - I believe your aversion to... David Morgan
  30. Ben Noble - As for example provided... It is not a... David Morgan
  31. Mike believes that the "reason Microsoft has more... Qaz Zaq
  32. I have used Windows 95, NT, 98, NT4, 98se, Me, 200... Qaz Zaq
  33. Hmm, I use both. I've been around personal compute... jimcooncat
  34. Dear: Ben Noble I would like to thank you, I find... Samuel Warren
  35. "My point is, that Windows is more user friendly,... Ben Noble
  36. I just read this web page: http://www.microsoft.co... Ian MacGregor
  37. It's just beginning! Kikki Bona Sijabat
  38. I'd like to tell microsoft a idea i had and was th... Anonymous
  39. we have been using the internet and this sign abou... Anonymous
  40. Site - very comprehensive and meticulous from all... Phentermine

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