Monday, June 11, 2007
Computer Security - Vista v Linux
Anyone who takes a passing interest in computers these days is probably aware of the potential risks of using a computer online. The issue of security is increasingly being used as ammunition in the never ending battle waged by the devotees of the various operating systems available to the computer user. The fact that Windows is constantly under attack from viruses, trojans, spyware and other nasties has become the stone in the slingshot for the David and Goliath battle between the likes of Apple and Linux versus Microsoft.
I confess that my attitude towards Microsoft has been less than charitable lately and nothing much has changed in this regard. I also do not profess to being an expert in the field of computer security. The fact remains that I have five computers in my home running Windows and only one running Linux so I take a keen interest in Windows security.
I therefore read with interest a report on ZDnet entitled Windows vs Linux security report card redux. For those not interested in reading the report an image from story is included below. According to this report, admittedly led by Jeff Jones, security strategy director in Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing group, Vista is the most secure operating system.
Obviously all computer operating systems have security flaws. Are these better or worse in Windows compared to Mac or Linux? I have no idea. I do know that I would rather live in area where the rate of home break-ins is low or non-existent regardless of the number of locks I can put on my doors. What do you think?
“You can’t coach that”
[via: ZDnet]
EDIT:
Subsequent reading adds fuel to this fire. The count for Apple flaws patched so far this year is 111 at the time of writing.
