Linux vs. Windows Viruses

Threat level definition

Linux vs. Windows Viruses
Scott Granneman, 2003-10-02

To mess up a Linux box, you need to work at it; to mess up your Windows box, you just need to work on it.

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Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-02
Anonymous (13 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided 2003-10-06
Anonymous (3 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-06
Anonymous (3 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-06
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-07
Anonymous (3 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-07
Anonymous-2 (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-08
Krysalis

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided -- And seriously misguided! 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided -- And seriously misguided! 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided -- And seriously misguided! 2003-10-10
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided -- And seriously misguided! 2007-12-04
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-09
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad Macs, too 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-08
Anonymous (3 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2006-08-25
Anonymous

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2005-10-04
Anonymous

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2008-07-01
Anonymous

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided - More Misguided 2008-10-24
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided 2003-10-11
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. - Misguided 2003-10-11
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - Sad. 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (5 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Catalina Thunders

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-07
Karl

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Then you need to re-read the article.

Yes, the users are to blame for quite a lot. However, if you actually read the article, the author said that even if a virus takes over root (obviously easier if you're logged in as root) and runs, it still won't spread as far or as fast as Windows simply for the way it is designed for better security.

[ reply ]

Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/188/22898#22898

Linux vs. Windows Viruses..Blame the Users? 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses..Blame the Users? 2003-10-15
Anonymous

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2006-03-14
windows xp professional

Sorry,shill@microsoft.com, but no. 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-04
Anonymous (10 replies)

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-06
Anonymous (3 replies)

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-07
Anonymous (3 replies)

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-13
Anonymous

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-07
Anonymous

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-11
Anonymous

MCSE Unix Administrator 2003-10-10
Anonymous

MCSEs, what a joke 2003-10-14
MCSE

RE: Sorry "Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no.", but definitely not... 2003-10-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

Agreed - Windows is simply less secure. 2003-10-07
Penguinisto

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-08
Anonymous (2 replies)

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-09
Anonymous

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-11
Anonymous

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Sorry,shill@micrsoft.com, but no... again. 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Sorry,ltorvalds@you-gotta-be-kidding.com, but no... YET again. 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Sorry,ltorvalds@you-gotta-be-kidding.com, but no... YET again. 2003-10-11
Anonymous

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Users can't control their admins 2003-10-08
Anonymous

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-11
Anonymous

Sorry,ltorvalds@space-for-rent.com, but no. 2003-10-14
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-05
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-06
Anonymous (4 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-15
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-07
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-08
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-08
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Linux vs. Windows Viruses (Another "I HATE WINBLOWZ") 2003-10-12
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous (1 replies)

hmm... 2003-10-07
Anonymous (2 replies)

hmm? 2003-10-07
Penguinisto (2 replies)

hmm? 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

hmm? 2003-10-15
Penguinisto

hmm? 2003-10-08
Krysalisk (1 replies)

hmm? 2003-10-15
Penguinisto

hmm... 2003-10-07
Anonymous

How Interesting 2003-10-08
Sigmund Einstein

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2005-09-20
Chris

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2007-09-19
boogieboarder97@aim.com

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-02
Anonymous (8 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Joe Hill (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-15
Anonymous

RTFA 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
ob3wan

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-08
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (4 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
John Wilson

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2006-06-13
Anonymous

Troll Food 2003-10-03
Anonymous (3 replies)

Troll Food 2003-10-03
Efrén

Troll Food 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Troll Food 2003-10-03
Joe Hill (1 replies)

Troll Food 2003-10-15
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: Troll Food 2006-01-10
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses -- "windoze"? 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses -- "windoze"? 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses -- "windoze"? 2003-10-08
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous :) (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Bart

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Mark Jensen

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-09
M10

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2006-01-10
Anonymous

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-03
Ken H (1 replies)

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-04
Ken H (3 replies)

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-06
Catalina Thunders

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-07
Rick P

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-08
Anonymous (6 replies)

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-08
Ken H

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-09
JoeHill

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-09
Anonymous

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-09
Haywire

Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2003-10-15
Anonymous

Re: Linux will not succeed in replacing Windows at work because.. 2006-01-10
Anonymous

vs. ?? 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Efrén

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Brian

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
John Wilson

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
uofis

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Why this article SUCKS 2003-10-03
Anonymous (2 replies)

Why this article SUCKS -NOT. 2003-10-06
Bob James - Pentar InfoSystems

Why this article SUCKS 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Why this article SUCKS 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

Why this article SUCKS 2003-10-08
Krysalis

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Think OpenBSD, Linux and cia are much more SECURE ! 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

Think, yet another troll. 2003-10-06
Anonymous (4 replies)

Not quite 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Think, yet another troll. 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Think, yet another troll. 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Yes, but you are a NERD 2003-10-07
Hellcat (2 replies)

Yes, but you are a NERD ---- uh, no, I do my job. 2003-10-08
Anonymous

Yes, but you are a NERD 2003-10-08
Krysalisik

UNIX worms (RTM aka. The Great Worm) 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

UNIX worms (RTM aka. The Great Worm) 2003-10-03
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-03
Anonymous

I think you're being short sighted 2003-10-03
Anonymous (1 replies)

I think you're being short sighted 2003-10-05
Anonymous

Scott's web server runs Windows 2000 2003-10-04
Anonymous (1 replies)

Scott's web server runs Windows 2000... LOL 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Sobig.F isn't a virus -- it's a worm 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Anonymous (2 replies)

huh? 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Lindows 2003-10-04
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-05
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-05
Anonymous

mail client exploit + local root exploit = just as bad as if you were root anyway. 2003-10-05
AlphaParticle (1 replies)

mail client exploit + local root exploit = just as bad as if you were root anyway. 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Jeff@aeonworx.com (2 replies)

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux is still more secure, even if you're always logged in as root 2003-10-06
kevinh

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-06
Anonymous (2 replies)

Windows auto update for XP 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Re: Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2006-01-10
Anonymous

Lifelong Windows/Linux user switches to MacOS X 2003-10-06
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses - easy way out 2003-10-06
Greg

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns 2003-10-07
Pamela (2 replies)

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns 2003-10-07
Womyn hater (2 replies)

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns 2003-10-08
Anonymous

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns 2003-10-08
Anonymous

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns? 2003-10-07
Anymouse (1 replies)

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns? 2003-10-08
leavetheworldabetterplacethanyoufoundit (1 replies)

EDITOR: Please be more aware of sexist pronouns? 2003-10-08
Krysalisk

Linux vs. Windows Viruses: Absurd arguments 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Market -vs- Security 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Market -vs- Security 2003-10-07
Anonymous

Mac OS X = 0 2003-10-07
Anonymous (1 replies)

Mac OS X = 0 2003-10-07
Wendy Piggsflye

Mac OS X et. al.: Additional Perspective 2003-10-07
Carlos

Scott's Right, Microsofties. Deal With It. 2003-10-07
Penguinisto (2 replies)

Scott's Wrong, Microlovers. Deal With linux being babies 2003-10-08
Anonymous (2 replies)

If you actually RTFM'd... 2003-10-09
Penguinisto

Re: Scott's Wrong, Microlovers. Deal With linux being babies 2006-01-10
Anonymous

Scott's Right, Microsofties. Deal With It. 2003-10-08
Anonymous (2 replies)

I'm famous now? 2003-10-09
Penguinisto

PS: Blacklight posts in both places too. 2003-10-09
Penguinisto

Need Admin rights to run DirectX games ! 2003-10-08
Anonymous

MCSEs ARE a joke 2003-10-08
Anonymous (2 replies)

MCSEs ARE a joke 2003-10-08
Krysalisk (1 replies)

MCSEs ARE a joke 2003-10-09
OS Agnostic

MCSEs ARE a joke 2003-10-09
Anonymous

If Linux is so secure..... 2003-10-08
Anonymous (1 replies)

If Linux is so secure..... 2003-10-09
Anonymous (2 replies)

If Linux is so secure..... 2003-10-09
Anonymous

If Linux is so secure..... 2003-10-10
Anonymous

Why not compare root exploits? 2003-10-09
modulus at modsgarage dot com

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-09
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-09
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-10
Anonymous

You failed to refute the statement 2003-10-11
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: You failed to refute the statement 2006-01-10
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-11
McGeezer

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2003-10-12
Paul Kosinski

The Achilles Heel of both... 2003-10-13
zer0*Kelvin (1 replies)

The Achilles Heel of both... 2003-10-15
Anonymous

Bill Gates vs GM 2003-10-13
zer0*Kelvin

Nobody argues using Windows as non-root 2003-10-15
Anonymous

Microsoft RULZ 2003-10-15
Microsoft supporter (1 replies)

Re: Microsoft RULZ 2007-01-04
Anonymous

Thor Larholm has written a counterattack to this article... 2003-10-15
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: Thor Larholm has written a counterattack to this article... 2006-03-30
My head is spinning (1 replies)

Re: Re: Thor Larholm has written a counterattack to this article... 2006-06-15
Anonymous (1 replies)

Re: Thor Larholm has written a counterattack to this article... 2006-11-24
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2006-06-08
Anonymous

Linux vs. Windows Viruses 2006-07-02
Blunts

Lindows (linspire) 2007-02-22
Esnir

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