RE: New Computer? Six Steps to Safer Surfing

["Scott Morris" <swm () emanon com>]

So when the majority of people begin using a different operating system, is
there some reason that the majority of virus-writers or other malcontents
wouldn't focus on the flaws there?

Or are we stuck in this little bubble thinking that unix REALLY is THAT
secure?

Perhaps it is, but my viewpoint is that it's really shortsighted to make
this assumption.  Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean that it
can't.  Wolves go where the sheep are plentiful and less protected.  As they
get hungry, they'll go other places.  :)

Just my two cents.

Scott 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nanog () merit edu [mailto:owner-nanog () merit edu] On Behalf Of
Matthew S. Hallacy
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 7:37 AM
To: Sean Donelan; nanog () merit edu
Subject: Re: New Computer? Six Steps to Safer Surfing


On Sat, Dec 18, 2004 at 09:14:30PM -0500, Sean Donelan wrote:
> I wouldn't rely on software firewalls.  At the same store you buy your 
> computer, also buy a hardware firewall.  Hopefully soon the 
> motherboard and NIC manufacturers will start including built-in hardware
firewalls.
> But sometimes, such as dialup modems, software firewalls are the only 
> alternative.

Hopefully soon people will start running operating systems, web browsers,
and email clients where they have no need for a "personal firewall". 

(Or, with luck, certain vendors will fix their buggy software)

-- 
Matthew S. Hallacy                            FUBAR, LART, BOFH Certified
http://www.poptix.net                           GPG public key 0x01938203