Comments on: Five Factors Shifting the Future of Malware and Platform Security http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/ Daniel Eran Dilger in San Francisco Fri, 16 May 2008 03:22:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Windows Vista, 7, and Singularity: The New Copland, Gershwin, Taligent — RoughlyDrafted Magazine http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7674 Windows Vista, 7, and Singularity: The New Copland, Gershwin, Taligent — RoughlyDrafted Magazine Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:16:23 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7674 [...] Five Factors Shifting the Future of Malware and Platform Security The Unavoidable Malware Myth: Why Apple Won’t Inherit Microsoft’s Malware Crown [...] […] Five Factors Shifting the Future of Malware and Platform Security The Unavoidable Malware Myth: Why Apple Won’t Inherit Microsoft’s Malware Crown […]

]]> By: Cooles Poster http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7490 Cooles Poster Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:16:31 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7490 [...] siehe RoughlyDraftedMagazine [...] […] siehe RoughlyDraftedMagazine […]

]]> By: Joel http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7109 Joel Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:25:40 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7109 "Have you actually got anything to back this up? I’ve been to computer shops and department stores in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China, and I must say, Windows is a long way from being in danger of the most popular OS." I've never been to India or China, but my direct experience of the others is that I've never seen Linux in computer stores, and the only Macs I've seen where in high-end shopping malls. In Malaysia Windows Xp costs 10 Malaysian Ringits. Or about £ 1.50. Windows Vista is the same. Buying a Mac, in order to get OS X is significantly more, and costs around a months salary. Ubuntu is slowliy making headway due to its easy-of-use, but its along way before being sold in stores... “Have you actually got anything to back this up? I’ve been to computer shops and department stores in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China, and I must say, Windows is a long way from being in danger of the most popular OS.”

I’ve never been to India or China, but my direct experience of the others is that I’ve never seen Linux in computer stores, and the only Macs I’ve seen where in high-end shopping malls. In Malaysia Windows Xp costs 10 Malaysian Ringits. Or about £ 1.50. Windows Vista is the same. Buying a Mac, in order to get OS X is significantly more, and costs around a months salary.

Ubuntu is slowliy making headway due to its easy-of-use, but its along way before being sold in stores…

]]> By: IainW http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7101 IainW Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:43:18 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7101 @John E "#1: the biggest is that could only possibly become true in the US and first world internationally, where Mac is well-positioned. in the second world, there is much less Mac presence, and in the third world, virtually none. the second and third world run on Windows, like it or not (a lot is prirateware)." Have you actually got anything to back this up? I've been to computer shops and department stores in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China, and I must say, Windows is a long way from being in danger of the most popular OS. In one store in Thailand I couldn't find a single Windows computer for sale among the 30 odd Linux running PC's and a couple of entry level Mac's. Is it any wonder? To get another language onto a Windows machine, you have to install it all over again, and pick a new language. Sure you can install extensions from an existing English PC install, but its just not the same - all the icons and menus are still in English, but you can, maybe, type in Thai, Mandarin, Bahasa. Switch to a Mac or a Linux box, and wonder of wonder, other languages are a part of the thinking of every part of the OS. In the Mac, changing from one language to another for input is a shortcut key and a cheap keyboard with the right symbols on it. Changing the complete language set is a quick trip back to the install CD. Very much the same for the overall language in use. Yes, Windows does exist in Asia and other developing countries, but if it is a battleground as you suggest, the best tool will win. Obviously being able to read the screen is a big bonus, and Linux and Mac have that stitched up, Windows still thinks the world begins and ends with English. You might think that a store will sell a cheap PC with Linux so that the new owner can go home and pirate Windows. Possibly, but I don't think that happens much. I think 2nd and 3rd world countries are experts at putting free items lying around to good and unique use and this is especially true in computers where the open standards nature of Linux or Mac have more appeal. To go back to your statement, I have seen more Macs for sale in these types of countries as a portion of total system options than in department stores in Australia and the US, where often the only Apple product is an iPod. Kids in Singapore might be buying Windows to play games, but families in rural Thailand and China are buying 2nd hand Macbooks and Mini's from Ebay. @John E

“#1: the biggest is that could only possibly become true in the US and first world internationally, where Mac is well-positioned. in the second world, there is much less Mac presence, and in the third world, virtually none. the second and third world run on Windows, like it or not (a lot is prirateware).”

Have you actually got anything to back this up? I’ve been to computer shops and department stores in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China, and I must say, Windows is a long way from being in danger of the most popular OS. In one store in Thailand I couldn’t find a single Windows computer for sale among the 30 odd Linux running PC’s and a couple of entry level Mac’s.

Is it any wonder? To get another language onto a Windows machine, you have to install it all over again, and pick a new language. Sure you can install extensions from an existing English PC install, but its just not the same - all the icons and menus are still in English, but you can, maybe, type in Thai, Mandarin, Bahasa.

Switch to a Mac or a Linux box, and wonder of wonder, other languages are a part of the thinking of every part of the OS. In the Mac, changing from one language to another for input is a shortcut key and a cheap keyboard with the right symbols on it. Changing the complete language set is a quick trip back to the install CD. Very much the same for the overall language in use.

Yes, Windows does exist in Asia and other developing countries, but if it is a battleground as you suggest, the best tool will win. Obviously being able to read the screen is a big bonus, and Linux and Mac have that stitched up, Windows still thinks the world begins and ends with English.

You might think that a store will sell a cheap PC with Linux so that the new owner can go home and pirate Windows. Possibly, but I don’t think that happens much.

I think 2nd and 3rd world countries are experts at putting free items lying around to good and unique use and this is especially true in computers where the open standards nature of Linux or Mac have more appeal.

To go back to your statement, I have seen more Macs for sale in these types of countries as a portion of total system options than in department stores in Australia and the US, where often the only Apple product is an iPod. Kids in Singapore might be buying Windows to play games, but families in rural Thailand and China are buying 2nd hand Macbooks and Mini’s from Ebay.

]]> By: Ephilei http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7050 Ephilei Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:24:38 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7050 Every time a switcher buys a Mac, an angel gets its wings. Every time a switcher buys a Mac, an angel gets its wings.

]]> By: Berend Schotanus http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7037 Berend Schotanus Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:44:54 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7037 @ Shunnabunich: "Perfection is not required, only the pursuit of it." Good attitude. :-) @ Shunnabunich:

“Perfection is not required, only the pursuit of it.”
Good attitude. :-)

]]> By: Shunnabunich http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7009 Shunnabunich Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:23:20 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7009 @ Berend: "- You update because you want a flawless system and enjoy the comfort and carelessness of such a system. - But the fact you update implies your pre-updated system did have flaws. When you plan returning updates it even implies your post-updated system has flaws." I don't know about you, but I update because I want a better system, not a mythical flawless one. I know it's already better than Windows could hope to be, and each update makes it a little better on top of that. Perfection is not required, only the pursuit of it. :) @ Berend:

“- You update because you want a flawless system and enjoy the comfort and carelessness of such a system.
- But the fact you update implies your pre-updated system did have flaws. When you plan returning updates it even implies your post-updated system has flaws.”

I don’t know about you, but I update because I want a better system, not a mythical flawless one. I know it’s already better than Windows could hope to be, and each update makes it a little better on top of that. Perfection is not required, only the pursuit of it. :)

]]> By: Joel http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7007 Joel Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:22:29 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7007 "(like we couldn’t immagine 9/11 when we were preparing for the millenium bug)" The concept of terrorists flying an aircraft has been known to security forces since the mid-1990's... “(like we couldn’t immagine 9/11 when we were preparing for the millenium bug)”

The concept of terrorists flying an aircraft has been known to security forces since the mid-1990’s…

]]> By: Berend Schotanus http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7005 Berend Schotanus Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:29:02 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7005 @ Daniel Eran: Thanks for your extensive reply on my post. "I have been presenting that Mac OS X (Macs + iPhone) are kept secured from malware because of superior engineering and regular updates that quickly closes any discovered holes." Great! Absolutely! The superior engineering for me is the reason I prefer Apple above Microsoft, you made me even more appreciate this. Even when previous "loves" for technology I hoped to be superior ended in disappointment but you can blame the suspicion caused by that completely on my side. Regular updates, I believe, are a very good way to deal with malware and other challenges. Up until now Apple does the best job in updating software I ever experienced, no complaints about that. What I would like to explore with you is a paradox behind the "regular updates" principle: - You update because you want a flawless system and enjoy the comfort and carelessness of such a system. - But the fact you update implies your pre-updated system did have flaws. When you plan returning updates it even implies your post-updated system has flaws. So good update requires to be both confident and cautious, which might be a reason why it is such a difficult job to do. Be too much confident and you might loose the state of mind of cautiousness that is required to issue the right updates timely. I know many examples of great disasters that can ultimately be blamed to too much confidence in the first place. I expect the malware market to remain very dynamic and wouldn't be surprised when we will meet threats in a few years we cannot think of today (like we couldn't immagine 9/11 when we were preparing for the millenium bug). Sure disciplined updating and continued alertness is a good solution. So I really hope Apple developers will be able to remain alert and withstand this all too human temptation of dreaming away in a feeling of invulnerability. @ Daniel Eran:

Thanks for your extensive reply on my post.

“I have been presenting that Mac OS X (Macs + iPhone) are kept secured from malware because of superior engineering and regular updates that quickly closes any discovered holes.”

Great! Absolutely! The superior engineering for me is the reason I prefer Apple above Microsoft, you made me even more appreciate this. Even when previous “loves” for technology I hoped to be superior ended in disappointment but you can blame the suspicion caused by that completely on my side.

Regular updates, I believe, are a very good way to deal with malware and other challenges. Up until now Apple does the best job in updating software I ever experienced, no complaints about that.
What I would like to explore with you is a paradox behind the “regular updates” principle:
- You update because you want a flawless system and enjoy the comfort and carelessness of such a system.
- But the fact you update implies your pre-updated system did have flaws. When you plan returning updates it even implies your post-updated system has flaws.

So good update requires to be both confident and cautious, which might be a reason why it is such a difficult job to do. Be too much confident and you might loose the state of mind of cautiousness that is required to issue the right updates timely. I know many examples of great disasters that can ultimately be blamed to too much confidence in the first place.
I expect the malware market to remain very dynamic and wouldn’t be surprised when we will meet threats in a few years we cannot think of today (like we couldn’t immagine 9/11 when we were preparing for the millenium bug). Sure disciplined updating and continued alertness is a good solution. So I really hope Apple developers will be able to remain alert and withstand this all too human temptation of dreaming away in a feeling of invulnerability.

]]> By: John Muir http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7003 John Muir Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:42:38 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/04/02/five-factors-shifting-the-future-of-malware-and-platform-security/#comment-7003 @ Joel Indeed. I make sure to say it's the Windows PC (or even more specifically the desktop) which is past its prime. Cubicle farms and large sitting room desks are not the natural habitat of all mankind. Ubiquity is going to take a little more versatility. Microsoft really have to be on to this. If not, it's their greatest mistake full stop. @ Joel

Indeed. I make sure to say it’s the Windows PC (or even more specifically the desktop) which is past its prime. Cubicle farms and large sitting room desks are not the natural habitat of all mankind. Ubiquity is going to take a little more versatility.

Microsoft really have to be on to this. If not, it’s their greatest mistake full stop.

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