Re: Discuss Bill Gates Statement

thumb_42_at_yahoo.com
Date: 02/25/04 

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 15:22:27 GMT

I'd say windows is *far more* secure than Linux.

Remember, Windows is *only vulnerable* when it's actually running, it is by
nature less vulnerable, the only time it's vulnerable is the times between
being shutdown and being frozen up.

Linux on the other hand, is generally more stable and runs 24/7, so the
window of opportunity increases. :-)

If Linux were shut down or locked up as often as Windows, then perhaps
the security would improve. Mr. Torvalds should incorporate the "lock up"
features of MS to be "on par" with microsofts superior security model.

Good day.

Jamie.

Tom Junior <tbjnospam@automateddesign.com> wrote:
> This is part of an article in PC Mag (MM), which interviewed Bill Gates
> (BG). I am hoping people will want to discuss his statements and the
> question: Is Linux technically inferior to Windows and, if so, how far
> behind?
>
> Thank you to anyone who participates.
>
> MM: There's a perception that Windows is somehow more vulnerable than Mac
> or Linux.
>
> BG: It's just not; it's just not. But there's a weird sense that it may
> feel like it's true, which is [why] we get attacked more. Our technology
> at this point is way better in terms of how few defects we have. Just go
> through and compare, say, with Linux, how many defects we have, how
> quickly we fix those defects, how our system is for getting the updates
> out for those defects. Take those objective criteria, and we are better.
>
> Unfortunately, because our systems are so dense, we have two challenges.
> Our systems are so dense???high share???and because people attack us for
> glory, there are more attacks. So we need to make sure these attacks can't
> succeed. In a sense, by making sure we can block people who try to
> [attack] for glory, it actually gives the users this additional benefit
> that means we're blocking it for people who are actually maliciously
> coming in to steal information. The other operating systems won't be as
> far along on that learning curve. But right now, all people can see is
> that there's some pain. And even the people who haven't been affected are
> somewhat affected because they're worrying, "Jeez, could this happen to
> me? Do I have these things right?" And it's a real shame that people have
> to read about what a firewall is. It's a nightmare. We and their broadband
> providers should say "Hey, here's how you set this thing up, and you will
> be fine. Don't let people get you all scared or thinking you have to buy a
> bunch of expensive stuff."
>