Microsoft Claims Linux Security a Myth

black hole sun writes "Microsoft bigwig Nick McGrath claims that Linux security is highly exaggerated, and that the open source development model is 'fundamentally flawed.' The gist of his argument appears to be his claim of lack of accountability among distributors, coupled with generic statements short on facts. 'Who is accountable for the security of the Linux kernel? Does Red Hat, for example, take responsibility? It cannot, as it does not produce the Linux kernel. It produces one distribution of Linux.' He goes on to say that 'Linux is not ready for mission-critical computing. There are fundamental things missing,' pointing out the lack of a development environment and no single 'sign-on system' giving reference to Microsoft's foundering .Net passport program." I guess Linux can only aspire to the greatness of Windows when it has such secure applications as Outlook and Internet Explorer. Historically those have been proven to be of a caliber all their own.

Oh yeah?

[nocotigo]

Just wait until they roll out WinX, or is it Winux...

What that guy is smoking?

[KiloByte]

This is the classic case of a kettle calling the refrigerator black.

Re:Indeed

[Anonymous Coward]

Care to elaborate? Just what part of the software stack is missing?

The bit that lets Firefox adds new suid root system calls to Linux via .xpi files disguised as links to FREE BOOBIES.

In other news...

[k4_pacific]

In other news, a representative from Yugo blasted BMW for not putting rear window heaters on their cars. "If you have to push it in the winter, your hands will get cold. What a crappy car."

Title corrected

[Anonymous Coward]

Should be:
Linux claims M$ security a Myth.

Re:Indeed

[newr00tic]

[JOKE]

Oh, there's already a Bootable CD-Distro that does that, it's called BOOBIX. It has a special build of Wine, just for these purposes..

[/JOKE]

In other news...

[Nova Express]

Michasel Moore accused Paris Hilton of being "too fat."

Mike Tyson accused Michael Jordan of being "violent and out of control."

And Richard Simmons accused Charlton Heston of being "way too gay."

Re:Indeed

[had3l]

"Care to elaborate? Just what part of the software stack is missing?"

They don't know, it's missing.

Re:Indeed

[AKnightCowboy]

Care to elaborate? Just what part of the software stack is missing?

The entire .NET Framework is missing from the Linux kernel!!! My Visual Basic kernel modules won't even compile under Linux.

Re:Indeed

[BuilderBob]

Care to elaborate? Just what part of the software stack is missing?

The bit that lets Firefox adds new suid root system calls to Linux via .xpi files disguised as links to FREE BOOBIES.

Your link to FREE BOOBIES doesn't work. could you post again using the HTML tags.

Re:Let's keep the bias out of the submission..

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you new around here?

Heh, Heh. Yeah

[smchris]

I only have to wrap myself up in the warm and protective arms of a Microsoft EULA to feel the shielding umbrella of accountability.

McGrath slays me.

Re:Indeed

[Frankie70]

Care to elaborate? Just what part of the software stack is missing? The part, which makes Joe Sixpack want to buy it pre-installed from his local Best Buy.

Re:Indeed

[advocate_one]

There are bits of the Linux software stack that are missing

Care to elaborate? Just what part of the software stack is missing?

Anti-virus scanners and spyware removal tools... ;)

Re:Indeed

[Jesus_666]

That's why water is not ready for mission-critical drinking, as it's development model is fundamentally flawed and it's lacking a single 'drink-on system'. Because of that Microsoft has been forcing it's employees to only drink Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey since 1984.

Re:Indeed

[iminplaya]

Just what part of the software stack is missing?

The part with the SCO code.

What about WinX?

[Gary Destruction]

Why is Microsoft complaining about security liablity of Linux when they're writing and selling a desktop for it?

Re:Indeed

[Jesus_666]

This is a strawman argument: the supplier of your Linux distro takes responsibliity and you should use a distro from a supplier that you trust.

Yeah, but what about LFS? Think of all those businesses wanting to use LFS for their Linux desktops!

new Microsoft user agreement?

[tgibbs]

Who is accountable for the security of the Linux kernel? Does Red Hat, for example, take responsibility?

I applaud Microsoft's recognition of the importance of accountability. I look forward to reading Microsoft's revised license agreement, in which Microsoft will presumably accept liability for consequential damages resulting from security flaws of Microsoft products.

Just a few changes, for modern systems

[temojen]

Capitalization:
Linux: none^H^H^H^H Incalculable
Windows: $250 billion
Edge: Linux

Home desktop user base:
Linux: 1%
Windows: 97%
Edge: Windows

Server user base:
Linux: 60%
Windows: 10%
Edge: Linux

Ease of use (Novice user):
Linux: simple to use
Windows: simple to use
Edge: None

Ease of use (Intermediate user):
Linux: simple to use
Windows: hard to use
Edge: Linux

Ease of use (Expert user):
Linux: simple to use
Windows: Very awkward, some tasks impossible
Edge: Linux

Design:
Linux: Your choice of pretty colours
Windows: Pretty colors
Edge: Linux

Installation (basic):
Linux: Next->Next->Done
Windows: Next-->Next-->Done
Edge: None

Installation (custom requirements):
Linux: <a href="http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/index. xml">Do-able</a>
Windows: Impossible
Edge: Linux

Installation (identical mass installation):
Linux: Hard drive image
Windows: Hard drive image, needs activation & serial number, pay for every copy
Edge: Linux

Apps (image editing)
Linux: Photoshop under WINE, Gimp, Imagemagick
Windows: Photoshop, Gimp
Edge: Linux

Apps (Games -- commercial)
Linux: Many run under Cedega
Windows: Most just work (if your computer meets the specs)
Edge: Windows

User rights:
Linux: default install sets up administrator account and user account. must log in as or su to administrator to do administrator tasks.
Windows: Default install sets up user as administrator and hides the existance of file ACLs.
MacOS X: Default install sets up a non-administrator user who may be in the administrator group, but must authenticate before doing administration tasks.
Edge: MacOS X

Need I go on?

Re:Indeed

[Evil Pete]

That's why water is not ready for mission-critical drinking

Hence the need for Microsoft's new .WET architecture to solve these problems.

forcing it's employees to only drink Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey since 1984

Truly, this explains so much.

Re:*COUGH* sendmail *COUGH*

[Anonymous Coward]

If we coughed for every exploitable windows feature out there, we would give ourselves hemmorhoids in short of a couple minutes.