On 10-05-04 06:39 PM, Greg Saunders wrote:
I'm starting a new thread because I didn't want to hijack TekBudda's
original thread re: Query: Mac & Windows Diagnostics Tools.
Uh, there is a lot of preventative measures that one can take with
Windows
True:
1. run the windoze machine stand alone ... do not connect it to the
internet
or
Same goes for a Linux machine. Anything directly connected to the
internet requires management. One mistake is all it takes, regardless
of the platform.
2. install zero software on it ... keep to Notepad, Write and
Minesweeper for entertainment, oh yea, don't connect it to the internet
or
This is good advice for Linux too. Install only what you need.
3. format c: ... install Linux
Linux can be easily pwned. Just like nearly everyone else these days,
it all depends on how you configure it.
I am tired of the FUD thrown over the fence by the FLOSS people
We're the same people that insist that the sun rises in the East every
morning. We call a spade a spade.
That is all nice to say, but stop living in 2001. XP is not reflective
of the current state of things. I don't care if you like Windows or
not. In fact I don't like using it, but we should not be throwing FUD
around.
Bashing Windows out of ignorance does not get us anywhere and just
makes us look childish.
Some of us actually bash Windoze because of first hand experience. My
most recent experience (still ongoing) with a client was/is their IT
staff trying to get a new Win 7 machine setup with x64 print drivers
that actually work ... not to mention that there was no way in hell that
they could get another Win 7 machine working with the KVM switch a
certain user was using for flipping between a few desktops in their
office. It goes on and on and on.
I have a lot of the same problems with Desktop Linux. I have 4 printers
at home, only the oldest one currently works with Linux. Day in and day
out I manage hundreds of machines running a variety of operating systems
(Windows and Linux make up the two largest groups). They both have
their strengths and weaknesses, but the security footprint differences
are far smaller than most people realize.
Or (just a couple of months ago) at another client, where a half dozen
Windoze guys were onsite from a prominent IT services company here in
Calgary trying to stop some worm that was propagating through the
network ... the best they could do was unplug network cables and deal
with each desktop individually.
That is pretty much how you should be dealing with a worm infection
(assuming that you do not have an IPS that switches infected machines to
a different VLAN). It sounds like this guy does not actually know how
to respond to security incidents. To be fair, most so-called IT people
really know very little about security or proper incident response.
We can swap anecdotal stories all night and not get anywhere.
Oddly, all these guys were in my age bracket (35ish, 40ish) but I was
the only one who had any hair left. No word of a lie. And I can tell you
I did not make any friends with these "make work b*st*rds" when I
pointed that out:
I still have hair at 34, what is the point?
"Hi guys, I guess Linux = hair", that did not go over well. I thought it
was funny at the time ... couldn't contain myself :)
Yea, I got the same "You FLOSS zealot b*st*rd" thrown at me that Gustin
tossed out earlier ... but ... whatever.
Actually I never did say that.
Look, I understand that Windows is a reality (in North America anyway).
Keep the install base small ... sure ... makes wipe and reloads easier
... images smaller.
Windows is a make work project, plain and simple. Any advocate for such
substandard technology either punches a clock for a living or hasn't
figured out (or doesn't want to figure out) how to survive in the
OSS/FLOSS world.
My experiences are different.
Greg's "windows preventative measure" is "don't waste your time".
No, that is FUD plain and simple.
That's not being "childish" ... it's how I've kept my sanity and
supported a wife and four kids for the last 10 years. Stick that in your
"there is a lot of preventative measures that one can take with Windows"
pipe and smoke it.
Hey ... this might come across a little harsh (zealotish), oh well,
smile, I am.
I am a FLOSS advocate and user. In fact I reach for FLOSS solutions
first if that is an option. This is one of the rare times that I am on
this side of the fence for this argument. I have to say it feels a
little weird.
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