================================================ Subject: Linux vs Windows From: "Kevin L. Brown" To: Date: Tue 7 Aug 2001 15:09:04 -0700 ================================================ Amazon has an entire section reserved for Linux virus protection software. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/290603//002-3368158-4657651 http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/internet/03/28/virus.winux.02/index.html Computer security experts have identified what they say is the first virus capable of infecting both the Windows and Linux computer operating systems. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1123000/1123827.stm Virus writers are starting to target web computers running the Linux operating system. This week, many web servers running some versions of Linux have been infected with a malicious program that uses the computers as a springboard to spread itself around the internet. It took 5 years for people to figure out how to spread worms with Outlook. In a couple of years, Linux will have dozens of worms as people figure that out, too. And as you have said, it's more susceptible than Windows so it'll do much more damage. Oh, and also note: http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/bliss/ Bliss has been called a virus for Linux, a common Unix trojan, a virus-like trojan with worm-like features etc, depending on whom you ask. Apparently, the definitions aren't very clear. Here's its story. The first sighting on the linux-security mailing list happened around January 31, 1997, and Alan Cox replied with this message. http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/content/pcwo/0207/pcwo0010.html McAfee Associates Inc. announced it has detected the first known virus to attack the Linux operating system More than 4 years ago. That predates the Word macro worms. Also of note: http://www.zdnet.com/eweek/stories/general/0,11011,2801575,00.html Lion worm Infects Linux servers running some versions of Berkeley Internet Domain Name and installs a "rootkit" that steals passwords and data on network settings And this author shares my opinion: http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2800720,00.html Microsoft argues its code is as good as any. The viruses and worms that seem to strike its products with such frightening frequency reflect another reality--the widespread use of its products. If Linux, or any other software, were as ubiquitous, it would suffer equally at the hands of hackers, or crackers, or whatever you want to call the vandals who unleash malicious software code. http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2799069,00.html Starting with the Linux Ramen worm in January, So there was a Linux worm this year. Read about it? No, because it's not newsworthy. All this is simply to make the point that Linux isn't safer. It's actually less safe. You just don't hear about it because 1) There aren't as many attacks and 2) when someone does attack, it doesn't make CNN. One final note. The patch that prevents infection of this latest worm was released in June. The only people who are infected are the idiots who didn't bother installing security patches. To unsubscribe or change your preferences for the Creed-Discuss list, visit: http://www.winduplist.com/ls/discuss/form.asp