On Wed, 3 Nov 2004 03:05:50 -0600, John/Slackonomics
<slack@slackonomics.com> wrote:
quoted 18 lines On Nov 2, 2004, at 2:10 PM, seek wrote:
> On Nov 2, 2004, at 2:10 PM, seek wrote:
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John/Slackonomics"
> >>
> >> One of the reasons I don't use my Windows PC as much anymore is
> >> because
> >> of the enormity and severity of the virus/spyware/adware problem. I'm
> >> actually scared to use it on the internet.
> >
> >
> > You ol' FUDdy duddy, you. ;)
>
> Actually it's not FUD at all. I said that in all seriousness. If
> you're running Windows and using Internet Explorer or Outlook/Express
> it is merely a matter of time before you'll be infected with a
> worm/virus/spyware. This is a proven fact.
It's a proven fact that virii and exploits are created for the largest
possible target group, which are Windows users using IE/Outlook etc.
It easy to make yourself less of a target by switching to other tools
like Firefox and Thunderbird from the Mozilla suite, or by using Linux
(pretty extreme switch if you're used to Windows though).
Mac is not enough of a target, simply because there aren't enough Mac
users out there compared to Windows users.
Since hackers/crackers are concentrating less on Mac (and Linux btw)
Mac users are indeed safer... but that doesn't necessarily mean the
Mac OS is actually safer.
In the future I think we'll see more of that nastyness coming near you
on your Linux box as well, and since Mac OS X is based on a BSD *nix
OS (FreeBSD?) maybe even on the Mac... I hope not though.
quoted 42 lines Here is a listing of known Macintosh exploits/vulnerabilities:
> Here is a listing of known Macintosh exploits/vulnerabilities:
>
> http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletinsByType/vndr_apple_bulletins.html
>
> Here is the listing of known Windows exploits/vulnerabilities:
>
> http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletinsByType/vndr_ms_bulletins.html
>
> A search on CERT's website for "Windows" brings back 1017 results:
>
> http://search.us-cert.gov/query.html?
> col=csalrts&col=csbulls&col=cstips&col=feddocs&col=pressrm&col=tcsalrts&
> col=vulnotes&col=xtradocs&qt=Macintosh&charset=iso-8859-1
>
> A search on CERT's website for "Macintosh" brings back a measly 44.
> And it appears most of them have to do with Microsoft software (the
> first four entries are for Microsoft Excel for Macintosh, Word for
> Macintosh and Internet Explorer for Macintosh.... doesn't this TELL you
> something about Microsoft software?).
>
> Now you tell me which one you think is safer. Over 70,000 viruses (for
> Windows) versus zero for Mac OS X. Hmmm?
>
> It should also be known that Apple patches their systems much quicker
> than Microsoft has in the past (like how LONG it took them to release
> the Service Pack 2... and, quite humorously enough, hackers are finding
> new exploits/holes in it weekly).
>
> This doesn't even really focus on the virus/spyware/adware/worm problem
> with Windows. If that were the case, the pages above would be
> literally thousands of lines long due to the enormity of aforementioned
> problems affecting Windows.
>
> Lastly, I want to discuss the DRM issue. Someone mentioned they
> disliked Apple's use of DRM. What about having to enter in a serial
> number when you install Windows XP?
>
> All versions of Mac OS do not require a serial code. You can make
> infinite copies and install them on infinite numbers of Macs without
> worry of them not installing or having to defeat some annoying DRM/copy
> protection. Apple would like you to buy a new copy for each machine,
> but they don't force it.
Yes you can. But you can't use the OS unless you've already purchases
the expensive Apple hardware, because it won't run on anything else.
MS is not a hardware dealer, so they have to get their income purely
from their software sales, which is why they are more protective over
their OS installation procedure than Mac.
quoted 5 lines Secondly, have you ever changed your system set-up or installed a new
> Secondly, have you ever changed your system set-up or installed a new
> peripheral on your Windows XP PC? How do you like having to call
> Microsoft for PERMISSION to do this? At least Apple doesn't make you
> call if you change your hard drive, or upgrade your CD-ROM drive or
> something.
yeh, that does suck, although it take a number of changes to actually
trigger this effect
--
"progress doesn't come from early risers
progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things"
http://n3wjack.blogspot.com
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