Why I think AV software should be free
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Do you also expect fire or health insurance to be free?
Mladen Janković wrote:
Do you also expect fire or health insurance to be free?
Of course not, but keep in mind that the word "insurance" is misleading. It doesn't ensure that your house won't burn down or that you won't die. It is more of an "assurance", that you can replace damaged property or your spouse won't be financially crippled by your death. AV software isn't "insurance" or even "assurance." It's preventing (in a condom sort of way) problems with something that's originally flawed. Marc
Imperative to Functional Programming Succinctly Contributors Wanted for Higher Order Programming Project!
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Marc Clifton wrote:
Why do viruses exist? Because of bugs in the operating systems and applications that we do pay for
Sometimes. Years ago I got ahold of the source code for a virus called the I Love You Virus[^] Aside from the silly email stuff, it essentially was 3 pages of VB code that deleted whatever it could from the Windows folder and all subfolders under it. No 'bug' allowed that. Some deviant came up with this and wrote it.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
Kevin Marois wrote:
No 'bug' allowed that. Some deviant came up with this and wrote it.
:thumbsup: That's a very good example and creates a strong point toward the debate. Wow, that sounds sarcastic when I typed it, but I really mean it.
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Mladen Janković wrote:
Do you also expect fire or health insurance to be free?
Of course not, but keep in mind that the word "insurance" is misleading. It doesn't ensure that your house won't burn down or that you won't die. It is more of an "assurance", that you can replace damaged property or your spouse won't be financially crippled by your death. AV software isn't "insurance" or even "assurance." It's preventing (in a condom sort of way) problems with something that's originally flawed. Marc
Imperative to Functional Programming Succinctly Contributors Wanted for Higher Order Programming Project!
Fine! Fire and burglar alarms should be free.
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Do you also expect fire or health insurance to be free?
No I expect fire hazards and health hazards to be illegal and impossible!! :D
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Albert Holguin wrote:
Use Linux then...
Are you implying that Linux is bug/virus free? :laugh:
Way closer to that than Windows... that's for sure.
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Way closer to that than Windows... that's for sure.
:laugh: You should do stand-up.
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Albert Holguin wrote:
Use Linux then...
Because they never get pwned? Thing is, all systems have exploits, but I have to wonder if Linux may not actually be at a disadvantage here, given that (AFAIK) there's no reputable anti-virus for Linux you can rely on. Which means you totally rely on the end user.
It always comes down to the end user.... I mean, hell... Linux lets you delete system files, albeit you usually really have to try (sudo).
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Mladen Janković wrote:
No! No, I don't.
:wtf: You would prefer that an e-mail attachment or some script in a web page could (without your permission or knowledge) modify / delete files on your computer?
Contrary to popular belief, nobody owes you anything.
If I clicked attachment it's damn job of a mail client to open it and not to nag me. It's my own fault if the attachment has malicious behavior. I have used clients that make you go through all kind of hoops just to open attachments, f*ck that!
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:laugh: You should do stand-up.
You're amusing. Go write some code.
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If I clicked attachment it's damn job of a mail client to open it and not to nag me. It's my own fault if the attachment has malicious behavior. I have used clients that make you go through all kind of hoops just to open attachments, f*ck that!
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You're amusing. Go write some code.
Albert Holguin wrote:
Go write some code
Maybe I should write some that will stop hackers from pwning Linux servers on regular basis. The only reason why desktop Linux is not targeted by 'commercial' virus creators in such rate is because it has so little market share fragmented in so many distros and mostly used by tech savvy people so it's not worth the effort. Suggesting that is the reason why Linux is more secure the Windows is what's called security through obscurity. On the other hand if you're target of government surveillance, well look for yourself how secure you are by using Linux[^]. Also things like heartbleed. Critical OpenSSL bug allows attackers to impersonate any trusted server[^]. Will you look at that! Just while I was typing this message to you, perfect time to illustrate my point.
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Albert Holguin wrote:
Go write some code
Maybe I should write some that will stop hackers from pwning Linux servers on regular basis. The only reason why desktop Linux is not targeted by 'commercial' virus creators in such rate is because it has so little market share fragmented in so many distros and mostly used by tech savvy people so it's not worth the effort. Suggesting that is the reason why Linux is more secure the Windows is what's called security through obscurity. On the other hand if you're target of government surveillance, well look for yourself how secure you are by using Linux[^]. Also things like heartbleed. Critical OpenSSL bug allows attackers to impersonate any trusted server[^]. Will you look at that! Just while I was typing this message to you, perfect time to illustrate my point.
While I agree that today's Windows (v7 and later) is on par with Linux from a security POV, I'd ask who you believe is responsible for fixing the critical OpenSSL bug you referenced? The Linux distro? A 3rd party? Or nobody - let the end-user suffer?
Contrary to popular belief, nobody owes you anything.
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While I agree that today's Windows (v7 and later) is on par with Linux from a security POV, I'd ask who you believe is responsible for fixing the critical OpenSSL bug you referenced? The Linux distro? A 3rd party? Or nobody - let the end-user suffer?
Contrary to popular belief, nobody owes you anything.
Mike Mullikin wrote:
The Linux distro? A 3rd party? Or nobody - let the end-user suffer?
Don't know, but that was not my point anyway. My point is that "use Linux" as a single solution to all security problems with modern operating systems is silly and dangerous.
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Fine! Fire and burglar alarms should be free.
Mladen Janković wrote:
Fire and burglar alarms should be free.
No, because it's not an intrinsic problem with your house. :) And granted, I'm arguing more for the sake of the argument than any real reason. ;) Marc
Imperative to Functional Programming Succinctly Contributors Wanted for Higher Order Programming Project!
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Mladen Janković wrote:
Fire and burglar alarms should be free.
No, because it's not an intrinsic problem with your house. :) And granted, I'm arguing more for the sake of the argument than any real reason. ;) Marc
Imperative to Functional Programming Succinctly Contributors Wanted for Higher Order Programming Project!
Marc Clifton wrote:
And granted, I'm arguing more for the sake of the argument than any real reason.
Fair representation of lounge[^], as usual.
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Albert Holguin wrote:
Use Linux then...
Because they never get pwned? Thing is, all systems have exploits, but I have to wonder if Linux may not actually be at a disadvantage here, given that (AFAIK) there's no reputable anti-virus for Linux you can rely on. Which means you totally rely on the end user.
ClamAV[^] officially runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and BSD; and can be built for a variety of other platforms. The True64/Alpha box running an embedded system in the lab where I'm spending most of my time runs a copy our admin (who's not a dev and mostly a windows dude at that) was able to get to build with a bit of fiddling.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
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Mike Mullikin wrote:
The Linux distro? A 3rd party? Or nobody - let the end-user suffer?
Don't know, but that was not my point anyway. My point is that "use Linux" as a single solution to all security problems with modern operating systems is silly and dangerous.
Nobody said it was a fix all. It's ultimately up to the user to be safe.
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Albert Holguin wrote:
Go write some code
Maybe I should write some that will stop hackers from pwning Linux servers on regular basis. The only reason why desktop Linux is not targeted by 'commercial' virus creators in such rate is because it has so little market share fragmented in so many distros and mostly used by tech savvy people so it's not worth the effort. Suggesting that is the reason why Linux is more secure the Windows is what's called security through obscurity. On the other hand if you're target of government surveillance, well look for yourself how secure you are by using Linux[^]. Also things like heartbleed. Critical OpenSSL bug allows attackers to impersonate any trusted server[^]. Will you look at that! Just while I was typing this message to you, perfect time to illustrate my point.
Mladen Janković wrote:
mostly used by tech savvy people so it's not worth the effort.
Imagine that...
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Mladen Janković wrote:
mostly used by tech savvy people so it's not worth the effort.
Imagine that...
Albert Holguin wrote:
Imagine that...
Imagine what? That something complicated will be used mostly by professionals?
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Nobody said it was a fix all. It's ultimately up to the user to be safe.
So your answer to road safety would be drive a truck?
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