Apr 21, 2005
Facts and fiction of Windows security
With spyware, worms, and viruses continuing to grow in number, questions have arisen whether Microsoft has been doing enough to protect their users from these threats. Whenever a security flaw is discovered or a new virus has been release into the “wild,” some discussions on computer news forums and websites are usually geared toward blaming Microsoft for providing an insecure operating system. Windows XP users have the right to complain about the security issues that surround Windows XP, however it is not like Microsoft is not trying to improve the security situation in Windows XP. With the release of service pack 2, which has be viewed as a major improvement to Windows XP security, has almost fallen on deaf ears, in some circles, because of the animosity held by some users toward Microsoft for various reason. Does Microsoft really deserve all the blame for the security issues in Windows XP? As the maker of Windows XP, Microsoft has the responsibility to supply its costumers with a quality and secure product, at least in the minds of Windows XP users. In reality Microsoft is not legally require to make a secure product, but attempts to provide one because the purpose of Microsoft is to be a money making entity and Microsoft can not make money if their product is not somewhat secure. The thing about computer security is that many people are forgetting that nothing can be a 100 percent secure. Not even the Linux Kernel, which is know for its security and has been incorporated with other open sources components to form hundreds of Linux distributions, is not 100 percent secure. So, why does it seems that there are less people complaining about Linux distributions security issues than compared to Windows XP. Some of it is because some people refuse to see flaws in something they support, some people say Microsoft is guilty of that. Others people are looking for a scapegoat that they can vilify for the security issues in XP, namely Microsoft since they are the markers of Windows XP. However, it seems that computer users are leaving out other parties that are responsible for the securities issues in Windows XP, namely themselves and the people who create viruses, worms, and spyware. Microsoft, computer users, and malicious hackers all share in the responsibility, in some way or another, for the security issues that surround Windows XP and previous Windows operating systems.