Comment New Linux Feature. (Score 2) 381
By Monday the newest item on the Linux feature list will be: "It prevents MS Outlook and Office from running."
I am an avid Linux user, at home and work. However, I have no illusions that Linux/Unix security is better at preventing viruses from infecting a machine. According to "A Short Course on Computer Viruses" (see below book info), the smallest virus which only reproduces was a bourne shell script of 8 characters. Though you need about 5 lines for one which will replicate, evolve, do data diddling for damange and work on most Unix systems. I am no expert on viruses, but from what I have read, viruses easily cross user bounderies and security levels. The problem is that no modern OS's have any sort of mechanism to maintain integrity of files. This is usally handled by 3rd party add on applications, like virus scanners, tripwire, etc...
Anyhow, for those of you who wish to read more about viruses, and interesting/sneaky things which can be done with them, check out:
A Short Course On Computer Viruses
Dr. Frederick B. Cohen
ISBN 0-471-00769-2
I am an avid Linux user, at home and work. However, I have no illusions that Linux/Unix security is better at preventing viruses from infecting a machine. According to "A Short Course on Computer Viruses" (see below book info), the smallest virus which only reproduces was a bourne shell script of 8 characters. Though you need about 5 lines for one which will replicate, evolve, do data diddling for damange and work on most Unix systems. I am no expert on viruses, but from what I have read, viruses easily cross user bounderies and security levels. The problem is that no modern OS's have any sort of mechanism to maintain integrity of files. This is usally handled by 3rd party add on applications, like virus scanners, tripwire, etc...
Anyhow, for those of you who wish to read more about viruses, and interesting/sneaky things which can be done with them, check out:
A Short Course On Computer Viruses
Dr. Frederick B. Cohen
ISBN 0-471-00769-2
