<
https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/10/opinion_column_drop_windows_for_linux/>
"I've been preaching the gospel of the Linux desktop for more years than some
of you have been alive. However, unless you argue that the Linux desktop
includes Android smartphones and ChromeOS laptops, there will be no year of the
Linux desktop.
But there should be. For example, as GitLab recently revealed in its onboarding
document for employees, staffers can run macOS, and they can run Linux on their
desktops. But Windows? Forget about it!
Why? GitLab explained: "Due to Microsoft Windows' dominance in desktop
operating systems, Windows is the platform most targeted by spyware, viruses,
and ransomware."
Indeed it is. But Windows' security mess has never been just because Windows is
more popular. I'd argue Windows is insecure by design.
Today's Windows is still built on a standalone PC operating system foundation.
It was never, ever meant to work in a networked world. So, security holes that
existed back in the day of Windows for Workgroups, 1991, are still with us
today in 2022 and Windows 11.
Most of these problems come down to Windows having Interprocess Communications
(IPCs) that move information from one program to another, which have no
security in their design. Windows and its applications rely on these procedures
to get work done. Over the years, they've included Dynamic Link Libraries
(DLLs), Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Control Extension (OCXs), and
ActiveX. No matter what they're called, they do the same work, and they do it
with no regard for security.
Adding insult to injury, Microsoft's data formats can hold programming macros.
That's why Microsoft Office formats are commonly used to transmit malware.
Microsoft finally bought a clue that they should block Office from running
macros by default. I mean, this has only been a major security hole since
Melissa wreaked havoc on the Windows world in 1999."
Via Steven Vaughan-Nichols, who wrote "If you care about security, then Linux
should be your business desktop."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
