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good news everybody!
AtomSmasher:
--- Quote from: danny_galaga on July 06, 2008, 02:14:07 am ---you use a mac dont you atom? mac is based on unix and has much the same sort of built in security. i think the big threat for these systems isnt from viruses, but from a bogus program being installed.
--- End quote ---
No i use Windows, although I do agree with you. In fact thats the only way I've ever seen anyone get a virus on any system, by downloading and running a file from an unsecure source which turned out to be infected. As long as you have a decent firewall enabled, then thats pretty much the only way you can be infected on any system.
Your right about the most effective way to not get a virus is to keep your system updated. The same thing goes for windows, who also frequently fixes known exploits, and keeping an up to date antivirus program is also crucial. I've used windows for many years, and have even run a number of infected files in the past, but I've never been infected myself since I've always kept windows and my antivirus programs up to date.
Something kind of interesting I was just reading about, about a year ago the first cross platform virus came out. It works on Mac's, Linux, and Windows through an exploit in OpenOffice. It's basically just a proof of concept virus for now, to show where the vulnerability is, so it's not something to be concerned with yet, but then so was the BubbleBoy virus years ago until someone used the concept to create a nasty virus, so hopefully the vulnerability is fixed quickly (if it isn't already).
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/22/badbunny/
patrickl:
--- Quote from: AtomSmasher on July 06, 2008, 11:53:35 am ---
--- Quote from: danny_galaga on July 06, 2008, 02:14:07 am ---you use a mac dont you atom? mac is based on unix and has much the same sort of built in security. i think the big threat for these systems isnt from viruses, but from a bogus program being installed.
--- End quote ---
No i use Windows, although I do agree with you. In fact thats the only way I've ever seen anyone get a virus on any system, by downloading and running a file from an unsecure source which turned out to be infected. As long as you have a decent firewall enabled, then thats pretty much the only way you can be infected on any system.
--- End quote ---
There were virusses (or worms) that came through security leaks in software like Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. You might be exposed to hostile software by your friends. For instance, because their infected Outlook Express sent the same infected e-mail to everyone in it's address book. Or when their website got some hostile code implanted.
The reason it's difficult to write a virus for Linux is that "Linux" is not a single product. There are millions of versions which are all incompatible with each other.
AtomSmasher:
--- Quote from: patrickl on July 06, 2008, 02:24:37 pm ---There were virusses (or worms) that came through security leaks in software like Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. You might be exposed to hostile software by your friends. For instance, because their infected Outlook Express sent the same infected e-mail to everyone in it's address book. Or when their website got some hostile code implanted.
--- End quote ---
I know there were. In fact the BubbleBoy virus I mentioned was actually a milestone in that type of virus because it was the first one where you get infected if you look at the email in the preview window, no longer requiring you to open the email. However most, if not all, of those security holes have since been patched.
I'm not disagreeing that Linux is more difficult to write viruses for, but it is possible to write viruses for it, and I believe the main reason more hackers don't target it is because of its small install base, not because they feel it's too difficult. And like you said, there are many versions of Linux and a virus that works on one does not necessarily work on the others, which further limits the install base for which OS the hackers would target.
danny_galaga:
--- Quote from: AtomSmasher on July 06, 2008, 11:53:35 am ---
Something kind of interesting I was just reading about, about a year ago the first cross platform virus came out. It works on Mac's, Linux, and Windows through an exploit in OpenOffice. It's basically just a proof of concept virus for now, to show where the vulnerability is, so it's not something to be concerned with yet, but then so was the BubbleBoy virus years ago until someone used the concept to create a nasty virus, so hopefully the vulnerability is fixed quickly (if it isn't already).
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/22/badbunny/
--- End quote ---
oooh! now THAT sounds interesting. if i was one of those nasty dudes that writes viruses, thats what id want. a little something for everyone! that also means it doesnt matter which version of linux you run either, since its exploiting open office. besides, the linux kernel, of which all the variants are based, is much the same.
hmmm, ill have to keep an eye on the ubuntu forums for virus alerts...
edit: fixted (",)
still, i will be ever more vigilant with opening docs. for instance the last few days ive been unblocking all the pop ups i find from 'free stuff' sites so i can sign nigerian scammers up and hopefully put them on heaps of mailings lists ;D
well, its a hobby of mine :dunno
AtomSmasher:
--- Quote from: danny_galaga on July 07, 2008, 02:26:40 am ---besides, the linux kernel, of which all the variants are based, is much the same.
--- End quote ---
Ya that was my first thought too, but when I went looking at the various Linux viruses I found several of them only worked on certain versions, such as Red Hat, Mandrake or Debian.
Heh, I rarely update my seemingly safe programs such as Open Office, but it looks like nows a good time to do so since they patched that security hole :)
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