Subj: Letters to the Editor
Re: The Lessons of Software Monoculture
http://www.sdtimes.com/opinions/guestview_113.htm
I believe your article lost a lot of credibility with the line "What we have to understand is that our current problems with Internet Explorer have less to do with bugs than with success." So many make this mistake, it is easy to fall for the FUD that comes out of Microsoft.
If this were true, then why is it nearly all of the severe and remotely exploitable web server hacks happen to Microsoft's IIS? Apache runs nearly 70% of Internet web servers, while Microsoft is a minor player at 21%.
http://news.netcraft.com/archives/web_server_surve y.html
While Apache users did have to deal with the Slapper worm some time ago, the high-profile IIS attacks are endless. Worms and other attacks against IIS have been blamed for a regional power outage, rendering ATM's across the country useless, and taking out entire airline operation centers to name a few. "But then what happens if Mozilla or the Mac get too popular?" you say? Apache is 'too popular' now, and has been for some time. But I don't see Apache in the headlines over...and over...and over...regarding vulnerabilities.
Yes, nearly every piece of software has it flaws. But only Microsoft can stake a claim of costing society billions of dollars. (With IIS flaws alone)
Sendmail delivers the majority of the Internet e-mail. There are competing e-mail solutions from GroupWise, Notes, on down to Eudora and a plethora of other POP3 clients. But why is it every e-mail virus is referred to as a Microsoft Outlook virus? Have you ever heard of a GroupWise virus? Any worm attacking Mozilla Mail?
Word Perfect used to be the King of office suites, before that it was WordStar. There are still numerous alternatives to MS Office out there, with Open Office being the media's darling at the moment. But have you heard of anything called an "X" Document Macro Virus where "X" has equalled anything other than Microsoft Office? Microsoft macro viruses were infecting PCs long before MS totally dominated the office software sector.
In light of this, do you _really_ believe the "Microsoft is such a big target, that's why they suffer from all the bugs" FUD?