Well what'ya know...
November 20th, 2003
The first time I disagree with my favorite unix girl enough to blog about it.
Fair enough, she is upset because, if you install Windows these days, it is very likely to be virus-infected before you can even reach windowsupdate.com (although I don't have a problem there, being behind an ISP proxy and all...) But then she gets off in this all-too-familiar "hehe, this can't happen on unix, hehe, you stupid windows-users".
I don't buy that. For one, she admits herself:
(and most people who use linux know better)This is the main difference between any Windows and Unix installation. The users. I've not been virus-infected (yet?), but I've been using Windows for quite some time now. However, I do have received my share of "BritneySpears.scr". I'm just smart enough not to click those, as are most people who use Linux. The difference is that people who aren't smart/interested enough to know this (hey, maybe they spend their time saving the lifes of too-soon-born children), usually won't run Linux.
To a lesser extent, I also disagree with
the virus won't be able to do anything bad to the sytemMost of Windows' viruses these days do nothing else than sending themselves around a bit, using the user's address book. As soon as there's a mail program available on Linux that allows you address the address book programatically, you'll have the same problems there. This has nothing to do with the OS, but with the application.
Look at me, defending Microsoft here. It must be that I'm getting old and understanding...
April 21st, 2008 at 10:17 PM Hm, that's not fair.. I didn't call windows users stupid.. merely claim that the unix security model is superior to the windows one.. that has very little to do with the intelligence or lack of in the users of a given OS. You should read what I wrote more carefully.. my claim is that even if unix users click that executable attachment, the damage would be minimal since running the OS as root is frowned on and not made easy at all in the newer installations. Most linux email clients store the addressbook in xml.. how much easier could it be to access? You're making this into another 'bashing windows, microsoft sucks' debate, when it's not.. I asked for an improvement to the windows security model.. would you not agree it's much needed?
April 21st, 2008 at 10:17 PM Well kasia, my point is exactly "windows users are stupid". Or more correctly: a larger part of the part of the population that uses Windows, is less skilled when it comes to working with a computer, compared to the part of the population that uses Linux. I am sure that, if you put all the Linux users behind a Windows PC, they won't be affected by viruses either. If, on the other hand, you take an average Windows user, teach her how to install Linux (yeah, and to install that nifty utility, you type su -), and let her work with it, chances are damn high that she will do everything as root too. Keys and locks don't help you if you leave the gate open. However, I certainly do agree that it would help to be able to run applications as "Administrator" on Windows without having to logoff - logon. To set the record straight: I didn't think that you were bashing MS, only that you underestimate the fact that MS is used by different people than Linux.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:17 PM Windows *does* have a "Run as..." command, since win2k I guess. Just shift-right-click on a program icon or executable and choose "Run as..." :) Also see http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=301634.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:17 PM Wim: you're right. Doesn't work on shortcuts though. But it might make it possible to work as a non-administrator now. I'll have a try.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:17 PM Personally, I'm moving more to the viewpoint that stupid users (aren't I harsh) should be limited in power as far as possible. You'll see that Unix (and linux in particular) offers the tools to do just that, enable the person who takes care of the computer to restrict access for other users as refined as possible. (for example: don't use su, use sudo, every linuxer will tell you that) And in case you wonder, yes, I am pleading to 'reinstate' the programmers, computerscientist and other animals to the point where they are the guardian of John Modal's computer. Begone personal computer, Welcome back, network mainframe.