Re: why reliable linux hasn't gained more market share?
On Sat, 20 Jul 2024 18:28:09 -0500
Nicholas Geovanis <nickgeovanis@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 20, 2024, 2:09 PM Joe <joe@jretrading.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > You missed one: Linux is virtually a virus-free environment, and a
> > large user base would mean many more people running as root, and it
> > would become worth the time of malware writers to target Linux.
> > Linux would become as virus-ridden as Windows.
> >
>
> There is no reason for "many more people running as root" so I don't
> think that's a valid point. Ubuntu is derived from Debian and Ubuntu
> eliminated direct root login years ago. But you can do that easily
> with your own Debian installation if you want to.
And the important phrase there is 'if you want to'. The point is that
many people, especially those accustomed to running with admin
privileges on their Windows computers, would continue to do that. As
far as I'm concerned, the owner of a computer *must* have admin rights
to that computer, but *must* use those rights carefully and only when
necessary, and absolutely never use a web browser or read email with
those rights enabled.
>
> It would also become a target for data harvesting, from which Debian,
> > at least, is refreshingly free.
>
>
> Again lacking data center experience? Every server in your data
> center that is outward-facing will be contacted by intruders on its
> open ports. That includes your Debian servers. If your apache server
> or application server running on Debian is vulnerable and open to
> outside, they will knock on your door. What happens _after_ that
> determines how vulnerable you are.
>
I wasn't referring to 'genuine' malware, but that which is included in
the OS itself at manufacture. The recent versions of Windows include
more 'telemetry' than before, which you can allegedly disable. How much
information about *your* use of *your* computer do you think belongs to
the OS vendor? I would say "none at all", and I would not trust for a
moment "OK, we promise not to look if you tick this little box here".
MS has for a long time made it difficult to even login to your own
computer without also logging in to an MS account. So far, it is still
avoidable, just about.
--
Joe
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