Enterprise Security Today: Linux Security on the Ropes

“In a recent speech in defense of Windows security, Microsoft
chairman Bill Gates said it would be dangerous to conclude that
other operating systems are safer simply because they are not
attacked as much.

“In making that point, Gates gave voice to a commonly held
opinion in the software industry. Other OSes–most pointedly Linux,
now the chief competitor to Windows–may be less safe than the
beleaguered Windows OS. Perhaps quite a bit less safe.

“In other words, these Windows proponents suggest, if you think
Linux is safe, think again: The worst is yet to come. If the
open-source OS were to gain additional market share, it would
become a bigger target and fall under attack much like Windows
does, possibly leading to a hellacious contagion of worms, viruses
and security red alerts…”

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