From: Woody's Office Watch
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 12:35:01 -0400
Subject: Woody's OFFICE Watch #6.17
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10. IN VIRUS VERITAS
From my favorite virus curmudgeon, Rob Rosenberger,
http://www.vmyths.com
Do you use Eudora instead of Outlook? Beware. A hacker can
silently install software on your PC if you merely open an
email.
Do you use Linux instead of Windows? Beware. The "Lion"
worm -- yet another variant of the "Ramen" worm -- can
install itself on your system. It will send your password
file to the People's Repubic of China, among other things.
Do you use Linux AND Windows? Beware. The "Lindose" virus
can pollinate itself across both operating system
platforms.
Do you use Netscape instead of Internet Explorer? Beware.
Do you use Notes instead of Exchange? Beware. Do you use
Macintosh instead of Windows? Beware. Do you use... Well,
you get the hint.
I almost feel sorry for non-Microsoft users at a time like
this. Almost.
For example, consider the plight of ActionAid. A story in
The Register
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/8/17629.html) says
the poverty relief group is on the verge of switching to
Linux "as a way of avoiding the viruses that continuously
assault its Windows PCs." ActionAid's IT director, Kerry
Scott, apparently believes Linux will give his charity the
"'virus free' computing" it so desperately needs.
When I read the story, I thought to myself, "what about the
Ramen worm?" Now Scott will need to fret about the Lion
worm and the Lindose virus. Tomorrow he'll need to fret
about something else.
This leads me to an important point. You can't blame your
security problems on the operating system you use, or on
the email software you use, or on the browser you use.
Switching to another operating system or email package or
browser causes a bunch of headaches -- and it still doesn't
solve your real problem.
Your real problem is the Internet iself. No matter how
unique you make your computer, you negate it the instant
you hook up to the ultra-common Internet. ActionAid can't
blame Microsoft for the network cable snaking out of their
boxes. Scott must unplug everything if he truly wants to
reduce his virus nightmare.
Our computers grow more common every day. Windows may be
the most common operating system now, but something will
replace it someday. Linux? Java? The web browser itself?
Who knows. But whatever comes next will bring with it even
more commonality.
The Internet iself is the true 'common' threat. Blaming
Microsoft for today's virus problem is like blaming one
cloud for the damage of a hurricane. What will you blame
tomorrow?
So smile the next time someone says "you're a fool for
using Windows and Outlook." Tell them, "I use Microsoft
products just to avoid those dangerous Linux worms and
Macintosh viruses."
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