Saturday, January 18, 2003

"Contrary to popular misperception, Microsoft does not have the worst track record when it comes to security vulnerabilities. Also contrary to popular wisdom, Unix- and Linux-based systems are just as vulnerable to viruses, Trojan horses, and worms."


ZDNet: Printer Friendly - Linux, Unix as risky as Windows
Turning up the heat another notch on a long-simmering debate, the Aberdeen Group has published a study comparing the security of Linux/Unix systems with that of the Microsoft Windows family of products.

"Contrary to popular misperception, Microsoft does not have the worst track record when it comes to security vulnerabilities. Also contrary to popular wisdom, Unix- and Linux-based systems are just as vulnerable to viruses, Trojan horses, and worms," Aberdeen's report states.

Based on CERT advisories for 2001 and 2002, Aberdeen reached the following conclusions:

  • "Virus and Trojan horse advisories affecting Microsoft products peaked at six in 2001, which then bottomed out at zero for the first 10 months of 2002.

  • Virus and Trojan horse advisories affecting Unix, Linux, and open source software products went from one in 2001 to two for the first 10 months of 2002.

  • Advisories affecting network equipment products jumped from two in 2001 to six for the first 10 months of 2002.

  • Firewalls and other security products were affected by just two advisories in 2001, but have been linked to seven advisories for the first 10 months of 2002."


The report also points out that Apple is becoming vulnerable, "now that it is fielding an operating system [OS X] with embedded Internet protocols and Unix utilities."
http://www.zdnet.com/filters/printerfriendly/0,6061,2908715-92,00.html

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