Truth About Computer Security Hysteria
Let's taunt the Microsoft bashers
Rob Rosenberger,
Vmyths co-founderWednesday, 4 April 2001 DO YOU USE Eudora instead of Outlook? Beware. A hacker can silently install software on your PC if you merely open an email. Do you use Linux instead of Windows? Beware. The Lion worm — yet another variant of the Ramen worm — can install itself on your system. It will send your password file to the People's Republic of China, among other things. Do you use Linux and Windows? Beware. The Lindose virus can pollinate itself across both operating system platforms. Do you use Netscape instead of Internet Explorer? Beware. Do you use Notes instead of Exchange? Beware. Do you use Macintosh instead of Windows? Beware. Do you use... Well, you get the hint.
The Internet itself is the true 'common' threat, not Microsoft. You can't blame Bill Gates for the success of a Linux worm...I almost feel sorry for non-Microsoft users at a time like this. Almost. For example, consider the plight of ActionAid. A story in The Register says the poverty relief group is on the verge of switching to Linux "as a way of avoiding the viruses that continuously assault its Windows PCs." ActionAid's IT director, Kerry Scott, apparently believes Linux will give his charity the " 'virus free' computing" it so desperately needs. When I read the story, I thought to myself, "what about the Ramen worm?" Now Scott will need to fret about the Lion worm and the Lindose virus. Tomorrow he'll need to fret about something else. This leads me to an important point. You can't blame your security problems on the operating system you use, or on the email software you use, or on the browser you use. Switching to another operating system or email package or browser causes a bunch of headaches — and it still doesn't solve your real problem. Your real problem is the Internet itself. No matter how unique you make your computer, you negate it the instant you hook up to the ultra-common Internet. ActionAid can't blame Microsoft for the network cable snaking out of their boxes. Scott must unplug everything if he truly wants to reduce his virus nightmare. Our computers grow more common every day. Windows may be the most common operating system now, but something will replace it someday. Linux? Java? The web browser itself? Who knows. But whatever comes next will bring with it even more commonality. The Internet itself is the true 'common' threat. Blaming Microsoft for today's virus problem is like blaming one cloud for the damage of a hurricane. What will you blame tomorrow? So smile the next time someone says "you're a fool for using Windows and Outlook." Tell them "I use Microsoft products just to avoid those dangerous Linux worms and Macintosh viruses."
[Originally published in the
4 April 2001 edition of
Woody's Office Watch]