Linux infection proves Windows malware monopoly is over

[Basil Chupin]

On 15/06/10 17:49, Christopher Chan wrote:
> On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 03:41 PM, Basil Chupin wrote:
>    
>> On 15/06/10 15:22, Christopher Chan wrote:
>>      
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:49 PM, Fred A. Miller wrote:
>>>
>>>        
>>>> Linux infection proves Windows malware monopoly is over
>>>> <http://ct.zdnet.com/clicks?t=549550802-f09aff1f3240c763b781087d83996fa3-bf&brand=ZDNET&s=5>
>>>>
>>>> Every time I write about Windows security software, I get a predictable
>>>> flood of responses from Linux advocates who claim that they don't need
>>>> any such protection.
>>>>
>>>> READ FULL STORY
>>>> <http://ct.zdnet.com/clicks?t=549550803-f09aff1f3240c763b781087d83996fa3-bf&brand=ZDNET&s=5>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>          
>>> Linux operating systems do not get infected. There are no virii that
>>> work on Linux. You can get trojaned or rootkitted but you won't get self
>>> replicating malware. Linux operating systems get cracked. And that has
>>> always been the only means of dropping malware.
>>>        
>> Do I have things wrong and not fully understand the implications of
>> "security" and "cracking" and "hacking"...I do admit ignorance in this
>> field.
>>
>> But isn't there an annual competition where the person who
>> "hacks"/"cracks" the Windows or MAC or Linux system earns a prize of
>> (?)$1000 plus the expensive laptop on which that OS was installed?
>>      
> I have heard of stuff like that yes.
>
>
>    
>> And so far the only one not "cracked"/"hacked" has been Linux?
>>      
> /me shrugs.
>
>
>    
>> Am I right? I would - seriously - like to be told that I am wrong in
>> what I just stated.
>>      
> You're assuming every Linux installation out there is maintained and up
> to date. I would not be surprised to find Redhat 9 or older connected to
> the Net somewhere. These might even be just straight installations of
> the CD and would be full of security holes waiting to be cracked. The
> list of fixed remote root exploits is rather long you know...
>    

I am not sure that this really answers the question....

> DJB


Who is DJB?


>   ran a class not too long ago where his students concentrating on
> find security holes in daemons...they found a fair few and wrote exploit
> code IIRC.
>    

Doesn't really confirm anything for me - sorry :-) .

Facts, man, facts :-) .

BC


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Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society.
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