Re: Security comparison between Microsoft and Linux
From: James H. Fox (foxjh_NOMAILSPAM_AT_rcn.com)
Date: 12/21/03
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Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 12:49:04 -0500
sponge wrote:
>> Of course, as long as you disable all but absolutely necessary
> services in Linux or Unix, you will (all else being equal) be a bit
> more secure in Linux or Unix. The key thing here is to disable
> unnecessary services, like sendmail or SWAT.
>
> That's the key, vital, ever-so-important point: All else being equal,
> any major OS can be as safe as long as the user and administrator
> harden it enough by removing unnecessary features, and as long as the
> user uses some basic tools and some good sense ("safe hex"). A golden
> rule in the security business is that "feature = potential exploit".
> This is especially true where MS products are concerned, as, again, MS
> doesn't pay a whit of attention to security risks of each new
> "feature".
>
My limited knowledge of Linux suggests that you can install most programs
with only "user" rights (if that is the right terminology). That is, you
don't need root access for most purposes. This is nice for protecting the
root files and those of other users, but it is not good news for preventing
trojans and worms from installing, whenever the hackers get around to
producing them. On the other hand, Win2K or WinXP in a "user" account seems
to be quite secure; I don't think anything can install without your knowing
about it. Maybe Linux can be made just as secure, but I have not found the
way.
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