Membranophonist’s Ramblings

The Washington Post: Computers Users Face New Scourge

For accuracy’s sake, that headline really ought to read “Windows Users Face New Scourge”.

“We have just about quit using the computer,” he said. “It isn’t worth the aggravation.”

Ouch.

He installed a firewall to protect against hackers, a virus protection program to stop online bugs. He made sure to use e-mail on the Web rather than a program that downloads it — and possible spam and other annoying or nefarious agents — to his computer. He avoided installing instant messenger and chat-room programs, many of which are known to be associated with adware.

“All, apparently, to no avail,” he said.

Harris said he equates the problem to “someone breaking into your house and someone saying you didn’t have enough locks on your doors.” He believes more responsibility should fall on companies to make sure the machines are protected. “I drive an 18-year-old car and a 12-year old truck and have a 10-year-old dishwasher. They are still functional. But not the computer.”

Microsoft is all too happy to propagate the myth that it is because computers are so complicated that they are not as reliable as automobiles and consumer appliances.

In June, Philippe Ombredanne, a systems administrator and programmer from Menlo Park, Calif., bought a new computer. He said he was feeling lazy so he put off installing security software for a day. When he woke up, the computer was infected with one virus and about 30 spyware or adware programs, forcing him to erase data and programs from his hard drive and reinstall everything from scratch.

Later…

The problem is prompting systems administrators like Ombredanne to recommend open-source alternatives. Open-source software is often developed collaboratively by volunteers and the code behind the programs is available for all to see. For years, technology wonks have argued about whether that makes the programs more or less secure than those with proprietary code.

He said he tells clients to use Gaim instead of AOL Instant Messenger and Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet Explorer and that companies are much more open to that advice than they were several years ago, because of adware and spyware.

(Links inserted by me)

Too many seem to think “well, maybe I wasn’t careful enough or didn’t install the right anti-virus/anti-nastyware software”. It isn’t your fault! It is Microsoft’s job to secure Windows — not the user’s!

It doesn’t have to be that way. Get a Mac. Install Linux. If you have good reasons to stick with Windows, replace IE with Firefox or Opera, replace Outlook, a.k.a. Outbreak, with Thunderbird. You have options!

The story wraps up with more from Mr. Harris:

“I used to feel that the Internet had tremendous potential for communication and was a wonderful tool to use,” he said. “I don’t anymore.”

The Internet is a great tool — if your software isn’t garbage!