This is the way windows virii work as well. You 'get root' by convincing the user to run your application, thus infecting their computer. To say that linux machines do not get virus because they dominate the server market is a little excessive as well. If the average person did not use his computer at all but instead left it running on his desk he would not get virii either. I'd also say that most people that use linux for their desktop systems are like me--people with a degree in computer science, and/or a divine fascination with computers. We are less likely to infect our computers with virii. This brings to mind a blurb that was on one of my old professors door that went something like this: If automobiles were built like a linux machine, the odometers, spedometers, or any other meter on the dash of the car would be replaced simply by a red exclamation mark that lit up when something went wrong--an experienced linux administrator would already know what the problem was. -----Original Message----- From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net]On Behalf Of David Mertz, Ph.D. Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 9:46 PM To: Mailing List Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] Windows security (sic) ** Be a Good Dobee and help the group ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. ** Remember you must be counted to post . On May 27, 2005, at 1:50 PM, Mark Bucciarelli wrote: > It also doesn't hold up when you look at the virus counts and compare > to desktop share: > - there are about 60,000 viruses known for Windows, 40 or so for the > Macintosh, and perhaps 40 for Linux. Good points overall Mark. But you vastly overstate the number of "viruses" for Mac OSX and/or Linux. It certainly comes nowhere close to 40 for either (Mac Classic had a couple minor ones, it is true). What gets called a virus on those unix-like systems is always a "theoretical attack that might work if you can already 'get root', or if the user cooperates to a high degree with the attack." The number of historical "live" viruses for either OSX or Linux is exactly zero. And the worst attack that could ever conceivably be developed for either is far less serious than the sort of thing a Windows machine gets infected with on a daily basis. Remember, friends don't let friends run Windows! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- mertz@ | The specter of free information is haunting the `Net! All the gnosis | powers of IP- and crypto-tyranny have entered into an unholy .cx | alliance...ideas have nothing to lose but their chains. Unite | against "intellectual property" and anti-privacy regimes! _______________________________________________ Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list. If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members page on the Hidden Tech Web site. http://www.hidden-tech.net/members