Community weekly poll: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving
- 4/26/05 1:28 PM
windows security
by abrams - 4/29/05 9:59 AM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
whnever there is a security fault microsoft would release a patch and allow you to update it automatically.
M.I.C.R.O.S.O.F.T. stands for...........
by rileyt - 4/29/05 10:03 AM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Most Intelligent Consumers Realise Our Software Only Fools Teenagers..but we have to go along with it for now!
Microsoft conflict of interest
by PhoenixFiresky - 4/29/05 11:27 AM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't know if their products are more secure, but I don't trust them any more. Their decision to come out with a security product, which will presumably be used to fix the security flaws in the software they, themselves, write seems to me to be a clear conflict of interest. How can I trust them to be focused on writing secure code if they're making money off of screwing it up?
Obvious improvement noted
by brimstone - 4/29/05 11:53 AM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I just returned from my winter abode and opened up my email client, Outlook 2000 and found an incredible amount of spam. Having installed OL 2003 and all the other updates on my winter computer a month or so ago, most of the trash has been dumped into the junk email by the new software with essentially no propting from me. Only two or three legit messaages ended up in the junk. I also like the new ability to allow pics, etc. from trusted sites with little or no work to allow them.
I like the recently proposed solution of adding a delay to outgoing mail, so as to clog up the spam originators machines when attempting mass mailing of organ enhancing trash.
Yes
by holtan - 4/29/05 1:01 PM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
External pressures have forced Microsoft to focus on security in a such a way that it actually improves.
Microsoft has a good update distribution system which makes it easy to keep up to date on the latest upgrades.
Does this mean the problems will end? No, but we can rest with more assurance they'll be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
MS PC security
by rebenolan - 4/29/05 1:49 PM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Touch wood! I have my own PC which I use at home, I live alone and no-one else uses it except for occasional adult family members. I run AVG Anti-virus, plus MS Anti Spyware, and have had no viruses or spyware for a long long while. I hate to say that, it seems a little like tempting fate, but it the truth up to today! I can only believe that MS is getting its act together and making its products safer.
Security Improving?
by Thomas L Clements - 4/29/05 2:36 PM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Security has become such a big issue lately that it seems that only the PC Professionals (for good or evil) are the only ones that can truly understand the software used and how to react to problems found. We put ourselves at the mercy of the ones who demand our money. "My knowledge is what I sell for income." When security products become confusing enough, we are no further ahead with them than without them. We are still vulnerable, just to a different crowd. I long for the time when we can focus our intrests in areas returning a better/bigger yield. Keep Dreaming, TLC.
Microsoft Security
by mpmacal - 4/29/05 5:55 PM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Microsoft security is not getting better. 15 years ago, I did not need pop-up blockers, spam blockers, Windows updates or anti-virus programs. So... It has nothing to do with Microsoft. The controlling factor on security, is, and will always be: the criminal, the opportunist and the thief.
It started with the "Hacker". The damage was almost always benign, and the prize was pride. Now there are "companies", some presenting themselves as honest marketing enterprises, spending tens of thousands of dollars for a few lines of code designed to abscond with key snippets of your critical and private information.
Some of that information will be sold in the form of pop-up ads, (pennies to the pop-up or redirected web site). Some of that information will be sold to duplicate your identity. Keep in mind that the "honest" marketer will invariably claim the "harmless" former. In fact that the information that was stolen, enables the latter. It is like breaking down the back door to someone's house, claiming that you only needed to use the bathroom. I guess that's possible.
Software security is simply a matter of applying code to close an open door. Software INsecurity is simply a matter of spending enough money to create a new door. Since many illegally created doors are difficult to predict, security will always be one step behind.
Microsoft security is a joke
by rflester - 4/29/05 6:15 PM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It is obvious that MS Windows security will never improve to the point most of us would like. Every month PC World magazine's Bugs & Fixes column is full of newly discovered flaws in Windows and IE security. Thanks a lot Bill!!
Blaming Microsoft Is Unfair
by Exaltare - 4/29/05 11:07 PM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It's a simple fact that there are many people who are solely focused on compromising the security of Microsoft products. For the most part, Microsoft maintains a strong, proactive stance against potential concerns and reacts swiftly and appropriately to security flaws that are revealed through exploitation. Ensuring the integrity and security of a product as significant as Windows XP or Internet Explorer is a difficult task considering the resources oriented towards compromising these attributes. Consequently, holding Microsoft responsible for these failings is not completely fair.
As it stands, a lot of responsibility lies with the end-user rather than the company itself. Until recently, Microsoft did not provide actual spyware protection or a convenient means of enabling the (extremely limited and inadequate) firewall incorporated with Windows. Antivirus protection is nonexistant. It has always been the user's responsibility to provide these utilities to ensure their personal security. Many of these utilities are cheap (or free), prolific and highly effective.
I also don't fully agree that Microsoft's products are innately inferior. There is no doubt that the low susceptability of alternative operating systems and web browsers to online threats is influenced by their limited usage. Among browsers, it should be noted that the increasing usage of FireFox corresponded with the design of malware targeting the browser. As an example concerning operating systems, at least one version of Mac OS X has had at least one blatant and potentially devastating security issue that was resolved before it was exploited. Certainly, there are very few people attempting to exploit these alternative products. A similar Microsoft product, at any given time, is probably being deciphered by millions of people.
As it stands, the security of Microsoft products is still consistent and solid. Patches for security flaws are quickly released on a proactive and reactive basis. More importantly, however, is Microsoft's acknowledgement of the prevalence of malware and the susceptability of Internet Explorer to these threats. Microsoft's recent AntiSpyware product (an acquisition from another company) has proven to be a strong, free option when combined with other products such as Ad-Aware and Spybot.
The issue, I think, is really how much security Microsoft is obligated to provide. Microsoft recognizes that preventing external threats from infiltrating one's system through a product flaw is their responsibility. Their firewall is a prime example of this mentality, as it only prevents incoming connections from being established. Spyware emerged as a concern because of Internet Explorer's susceptability; in response, Microsoft has released numerous patches for MIE and provides a free AntiSpyware tool. Viruses are only a concern when flaws in Microsoft products allow viruses to infiltrate one's system without consent are remedied. These steps, I think, are all appropriate. It should also be noted that Microsoft's AntiSpyware tool is also very significant in that its real-time protections (theoretically) allow users complete control over whatever is installed on their computers.
A lot of users are responsible for their security problems through their stupidity. Blaming Microsoft for these problems doesn't make them go away.
Blaming Microsoft Is Unfair -- OH YES IT IS FAIR!!!!!!!!!
by crsteele - 4/30/05 1:19 PM In reply to: Blaming Microsoft Is Unfair by ExaltareYou show a distinct microshaft style to your writing. What gives it away is the “we know everything and never do anything wrong, it is always the users that can’t use our wonderful perfect product.” attitude. Let me guess, you work for them?
You say that "there are many people who are solely focused on compromising the security of Microsoft products."
Yeah and most of them are 12 year old school kids. It takes such a powerful intellect to compromise Microsoft’s product that a 12 year old can do it after finishing his homework
Do you really think that their aren't people trying to break Linux, Solaris, HPUX etc etc etc. Yes every single day! Guess what Mr Microsoft, a 12 year old can't hack a real operating system. It takes groups of hackers and equipment. Why is every secure system in the world NOT running Gates crap. They know that Microsoft will never be secure in any way shape or form.
The only way to secure a server running Microsoft is to pull the power plug out of it.
If Bill Gates had turned to architecture instead of acquiring programs and selling them at ripoff prices, We would not be having this discussion. Why you ask? Because the first and every building that he built would have fallen over the first time a pigeon landed on the window sill. He would have been put in prison for endangering peoples lives and the story would be over. Bill Gates and his company of losers never have nor ever will write anything that is decent or useable. If not for the overwhelming monopoly that he brutally and illegally forced into place and maintains with packs of lawyer dogs and paid politician pawns, he would be another “has been” tech weeny and nobody would even remember his name. You need to open your eyes!
Amazing
by Exaltare - 5/3/05 1:09 AM In reply to: Blaming Microsoft Is Unfair -- OH YES IT IS FAIR!!!!!!!!! by crsteeleCan you justify any of your statements with empirical evidence? I seriously doubt that you can name many twelve-year olds who have compromised the security of Microsoft products. Can you name fifteen people who have specifically compromised Microsoft products?
As far as "secure systems" not running "Microsoft crap"; there are plenty of secure, prolific networks that operate almost exclusively on Windows architecture. More importantly, there are many systems that have no reservations about adopting Microsoft technology. Most recently, it was announced that the U.S. Air Force intends to configure and adopt Microsoft software as an operating standard. The Department of Homeland Security will then distribute these configurations to other agencies for usage.
Even more amazing
by crsteele - 5/14/05 2:43 PM In reply to: Amazing by ExaltareI sincerely apologize, for my post, I was under the mistaken view that this was a forum for adults.
Let me explain, the reference to 12 year olds was a sarcastic comment, this means that it will tend to be overstated. Please do not confuse sarcastic comments with factual statements made under oath.
FACT: Yes microsoft operating systems (All of them) are often cracked, hacked, compromised, what ever cute word you want to use, by scriptkiddies (Students downloading exploits from cracking sites). Do a google search using the search term teenager hacking microsoft. Then do the same search substituting Linux, Solaris, Irix, HPUX etc see if you get the same number of hits.
Your reference to the AirForce adopting Microsoft: If you look at the behind the scenes discussions on it most security system experts consider it to be a major mistake. I would not use or government nor any of their agencies as an example of what to do or use. They have a long history of screwing up most everything they do, and paying way more than it is worth. (IE: Haliburton)
Your reference to homeland security is the crowning glory, the single agency in the government that cannot get a single thing right. Yep I'm sure they would love microshaft, another mindless power hungry bunch of losers helping out each other.
Microsoft sucked, sucks and will always suck.
12 year olds?
by Kharnellius - 5/3/05 9:42 AM In reply to: Blaming Microsoft Is Unfair -- OH YES IT IS FAIR!!!!!!!!! by crsteeleI'm glad you were able to keep to the facts and avoid derogatory remarks. It's definitely true...there are armies of 12 year old school kids out to take down MS. I saw it on the Discovery Channel. I know 4 of them, in fact. Yep, after trading Pokemon cards I overheard a group of them say,"Let's go hack MS again. It was so fun last time and so easy. I hate MS because they umm...because...my daddy says so. Yeah, that's it!" In fact my younger sister (a 14 YEAR OLD!) hacked into a major company (who's name I can't disclose) who uses MS Windows and we are now shaving off fractions of pennies all "Office Space" style. She hated MS too for some mysterious reason[/end jest]
I would tend to agree that they (hackers, etc) probably have the same mentality as a 12 year old perhaps but, actual 12 year olds hardly have the motive.
Since MS has a huge market share it only makes sense as a hacker to target the widest user base. MS is the easiest to see and largest to hit so it only follows that it would be the most desirable target to fire after. If I'm a big time burglar...I'm goiing for the mansion, the big bank, not the house on MiddleClass St. or Joe Shmoe's bank down the road. I want gauranteed results. So it only makes sense to exploit users of the big dog.
Linux, Solaris, HPUX don't have nearly the market share and gullible user base that MS products have. Most of the attacks are to exploit money, information, things to that effect.
Any advanced user would normally be able to avoid and ignore attempts like that (phishing or email viruses). Users of Linux, Solaris, and HPUX are generally a more advanced user base. That is why MS is trying to provide tools that will help people NOT have to BE an advanced user in order to avoid everyday exploits.
Also, no one is holding a gun to each person's head and forcing them to use MS. Granted it seems they have used some underhanded methods of getting it out to the public. But, if the public really hated it that much there would be more problems than MS could handle. You can't forget they WANT to keep customers happy or they will lose them in droves. Until you or anyone has been on the top and had to deal with the accompanying growing pains associated with it, I doubt we can completely understand the amount of work that goes into running and keeping an OS running smoothly like this.
MS has certainly had some not so great moments and I am glad to know Win95/98 are gone forever. However, I have never had my computer run so solid as it is now, ever since I got one with Win XP PRO.
You can't expect anything to be perfect as there will always be someone out there to do everything in their power to stop it from being perfect. However, with all that has happened these past years I can't really say I'm dissappointed with MS at all. In fact I've been rather encouraged how it has begun to grow up a lot.
Either way if you hate it so much, switch. It will be one less doomsayer we have to sift through when reading the daily posts.
Regards,
Kharn
Microsoft Security Improving
by Michael Manning - 4/30/05 7:38 AM In reply to: Do you think the security of Microsoft products is improving by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
NO No No I had to open explore because it's the only recoginzed system for UMASS Finacial Aid/FAF. As soon as I reopended I got hit with a hijacker immediately. My son introduced me to Mozzilla Firefox and have no problems at all since using thier browser. All the highschool kids are using this with no problem also. Infact since opening I have been unable to stop popup attempts by explorer to
access an ofsite location.
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