Security Issues and the GUI (Score 1)

With talk about cracking and the like, my question is: since a GUI is supposed to eliminate or cover up various features of Linux to simplify its operation, what sort of implications does this have for security issues.

In its default configuration, for instance, most distributions of Linux try not to have any holes -- yet if one were to throw a GUI over this and one could not see what was going on in the background, the average user would probably not venture beyond its comforts.

Imagine what would happen if, after attracting more of the Windows crowd with this new GUI, whether it be tools from Eazel or whatever, a new security hole was discovered in a particular part of it. These people can't figure out the Windows Update, much less how to recompile a kernel or set user permissions. My grandfather, who has a cable modem, would be having to deal with things like sendmail attacks, port scanning, BIND holes, etc.

Perhaps I might be taking this too seriously. I mean, the risks involved in "bringing Linux to the consumer masses" were overlooked in the pipedream hype of the late 90's -- which was when the negotiations for Eazel's venture capital financing began.