Anti-Windows Catalog

Vulnerabilities in Users, Not in Windows

Written by Gordon Fecyk, 3/9/2005

SYSADMINS DON'T FAULT THEIR USERS for computing problems. Instead, they blame Microsoft for creating the environment that makes it possible. For example, Kelly Martin told the securityfocus.com audience:

[Microsoft's anti-spyware tool] is a band-aid approach and a funny way for them to admit defeat - because it's holes in Microsoft's operating system that built the entire spyware industry to begin with.

He lost sight of the real problem.

"SPYWARE" comes with many "free" applications available on the Internet. For example, Kazaa comes with the GAIN Toolbar and Kazaa's installer forces you to agree to install this software before it will install Kazaa.

So, why install Kazaa? Well, users can't resist free music. It acts just like a drug. Users will gladly install spyware-infested software, knowing full well what they're giving up, in the name of somehow screwing the man.

Kazaa's sponsors are not exploiting a weakness in Microsoft Windows. Instead, they are exploiting a weakness in the user. For this reason alone, you all need to stop blaming Microsoft for your spyware woes.

From UserFriendly.org Copyright © 2005 J.D. "Illiad" Frazer.

Related Links:

• Microsoft Anti-Spyware? -- Securityfocus via The Register
• Bill Gates Does NOT Sell Anti-Virus Software (or sell anti-spyware for that matter) -- VMyths
• Spyware on My Machine? So What? -- Wired
• Hey, guys! Are we really this dumb?

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