Full Disclosure mailing list archives

Re: Yes, user education is a lost cause ;-)


From: Mattias Ahnberg <mattias () ahnberg pp se>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 11:38:07 +0100

"SPL" == Schmehl, Paul L <pauls () utdallas edu> writes:

SPL> Given this logic then, isn't it the user's fault for leaving the
SPL> door open on their PC?  Do you blame the home builder if the
SPL> owner leaves the door unlocked?  ISTM that your culture teaches
SPL> you that it's the users' responsibility, not the manufacturers'.

It seems like every argument in this discussion is angled into this
either being the fault of the user OR the developer. Isn't it more
logical to assume that there are probably a lot of things that can
be improved on BOTH ends?

We can not assume that the majority of users will ever know all they
should know about computers and security before using one, but at the
same time we can't just take ALL the blame away from the user when bad
stuff happens. There must be a middle ground somewhere.

I do firmly believe that software developers should be a lot more
security aware, and especially in "out of the box" products. It is way
better for everyone if users has to "opt-out" of security features,
than to have things open by default and to "opt-in" later.

/ahnberg.


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