If You *MUST* Use Micro$oft

[smschulz]

1.02% of computer desktops does not mean servers, though.

You are correct > a server is not usually a desktop.
Each OS has it's own merits.
There are reasons MS is dominent (even in Servers from all numbers I have seen).
Does it make it better ~ maybe/maybe not.
Does it make it worse ~ maybe maybe not.
The Linux vs MS argument is getting old.

 

[Eli]

According to NetApplications, GNU/Linux now accounts for 1.02% of computer desktops
Operating system market share

I said "the Internet" not what looks at it!

Eli

 

[smschulz]

Hackers have managed to deface several hundred Web sites hosted by Network Solutions, the company said Tuesday.
In a blog posting, the Internet service provider described the incident as a "limited attack on websites hosted on Network Solutions Unix servers." Several servers were hit and "intruders were able to get through by using a file inclusion technique," the blog post said.

All computers are vulnerable ~ including UNIX and other non-MS.
Hackers hit Network Solutions customers - Network World

 

[Eli]

All computers are vulnerable ~ including UNIX and other non-MS.
Hackers hit Network Solutions customers - Network World

Those were compromised not "hacked" - looks like somebody got the passwords, this is usually by way of infected M$ machines. This is one of the effects of keyloggers and such, and one of the most common means of "hacked" servers.
I also got the implication from the article that the vulnerability was in Network Solutions' proprietary third-party software.

Eli

 

[45tex]

I hate to be simple about but I have learned that surfing free porn and "to good to be true" ads gets nasty intrusions into my computer. I stopped and have no problems since. And I use just the free virus and such protection trusted people have recommended.

To relate it to guns, you have a much better chance of never using your concealed weapon if you don't go into the areas of your town where you have no business. Having a concealed permit has made me smarter about where I really need to be. Although I practice for the worst I plan for the best.

Class....CLASS...SHUTTTTTTUUUUUPPPPP

 

[smschulz]

Ahhh yes, blame MS > it is kind of like blaming Bush for everything that goes wrong in the World. That's a good one Eli.

......but 45tex is right ~ use a little common sense and prevention and regardless of the OS ~ your (computing) life will be a lot better.

 

[Major Woody]

Ubuntu here too. They send you updates just like Microsoft. I use No Script also to selectively prohibit some Java

 

[pheet17]

The Linux vs MS argument is getting old.

Right up there with 9mm v. 40 s&w v. 45ACP

 

[zembonez]

Can't we all just get along?

 

[Clockwork]

Right up there with 9mm v. 40 s&w v. 45ACP

.45 ACP won that one a long time ago, right?

 

[Cyberlink]

Fedora core on all 10 of my systems. I personal love the ability of linux to dual key encrypt the home directory and store the key, an OTP required for login, and my gpg e-mail encryption keys on a simple USB pen drive. It simply means that as long as I have the USB key on my person no one can log into my system.

Add to that the ability to use the radioactive decay of Am243 to generate random numbers and you have a system that is secure.

 

[Clockwork]

Fedora core on all 10 of my systems. I personal love the ability of linux to dual key encrypt the home directory and store the key, an OTP required for login, and my gpg e-mail encryption keys on a simple USB pen drive. It simply means that as long as I have the USB key on my person no one can log into my system.

Add to that the ability to use the radioactive decay of Am243 to generate random numbers and you have a system that is secure.

How do you use the radioactive decay of Americium to generate random numbers? What are you doing on your computer that requires that much encryption? Most people are satisfied using something like TrueCrypt.

 

[cuate]

Interesting, the different PC virus protection used. I ordered PC Tools Spyware Doctor and it catches adware, spyware, and viruses, has done a fine job here, as I remember it was around $39 for a year....

 

[Cyberlink]

How do you use the radioactive decay of Americium to generate random numbers? What are you doing on your computer that requires that much encryption? Most people are satisfied using something like TrueCrypt.

Sorry it is Am-241 not 243 I made a typo on the above.

That is easy, you take the Americium from a smoke detector. Suspend it on a wire and surround it on 5 sides with 640x480 CCD imager chips. In a sealed environment when the decaying alpha particle hits the CCD imaging chip it lights up a pixel. Custom drivers take the pixels and convert them to a number providing a 1:153600 random number that is then fed to /dev/urandom on the linux box. Most engryption software pulls it's random numbers from /dev/urandom as it is not mathematically generated.

As to why I need that much encryption, Because I believe in being secure in my possessions and effects. Most people are happy with TrueCrypt, sure, but then again most people are happy with a Kiwi lock on there front door. Even though that lock can be picked by a novice in under 2 min.

 

[Clockwork]

That is easy, you take the Americium from a smoke detector. Suspend it on a wire and surround it on 5 sides with 640x480 CCD imager chips. In a sealed environment when the decaying alpha particle hits the CCD imaging chip it lights up a pixel. Custom drivers take the pixels and convert them to a number providing a 1:153600 random number that is then fed to /dev/urandom on the linux box. Most engryption software pulls it's random numbers from /dev/urandom as it is not mathematically generated.

If thats easy to you then I worry about what kind of mad scientist activities you consider to be difficult. Bravo on that!
Is there like a YouTube video or something to that effect that demonstrates how this process is done? (I can't search for it because I'm on a DoD network and YouTube is blocked.) I'm not an engineer or anything but I'm handy with a soldering iron and microrepair...

 

[Illuminator]

You do know that over 1/2 the Internet is Linux right? Which is better, infected a lot of limited-connection computers or machines that are DIRECTLY connected to the Internet?
Sadly, M$ servers are almost as vulnerable as M$ desktops, and are the cause of many of the infected M$ desktops.

Most people use Linux for price. A few use it to be different. But nobody uses it for superior architecture.

 

[zembonez]

Most people use Linux for price. A few use it to be different. But nobody uses it for superior architecture.

Yes and no. That's mostly opinion expressed by Microsoft faithful.

Once setup, I much prefer the "same or better operation" of a Linux server with about 90% LESS of the complications that come along with a Microsoft server. This site is on a Linux server.

 

[Eli]

Most people use Linux for price. A few use it to be different. But nobody uses it for superior architecture.

Um, I do. I have access to almost anything M$ and refuse to use it except in limited instances. My primary desktop has been Ubuntu for over 4 years now.

Eli

 

[jtriron]

I left the PC world about 3 years ago, primarily due to photography - Apple has performed flawlessly / will never go back to PC and Microsoft
Just my .02

 

[smschulz]

Most people use Linux for price. A few use it to be different. But nobody uses it for superior architecture.

Pretty much right on.