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Whitewashing Inherent Windows Flaws

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Summary: New examples of security reports that lack an important ingredient which is an explanation about them being applicable to just one platform

LONG-ESTABLISHED platforms like UNIX and Linux offer more security than Windows and the recent bad news for Microsoft is just yet more proof of that. Techrights keeps urging people to call out Windows because it is indeed part of the problem (ease of cracking) and despite Richard A. Clarke saying the truth (among other security folks whose opinion is similar, as our security category ought to show), there are persistent denials and gagging by Microsoft. Looking at the news over the weekend, there is an issue which was mentioned here before and is still being brought up, this time by The Register:



Many users remain infected with computer malware – despite the fact that the vast majority are running machines protected by anti-virus software.

A study by European Union statistics agency EUROSTAT found that one third of PC users (31 per cent) had the pox even though the vast majority (84 per cent) were running security software (anti-virus, anti-spam, firewall) on their PCs. Of the survey's respondents, 3 per cent reported financial loss as a result of farming or phishing attacks, while a further 4 per cent reported privacy violations involving data sent online.


This reports neglects to name Windows. It's embarrassing that Windows and Microsoft are conspicuously missing, which means that people may never learn. Also from the news, there is a lot of talk about "malware" with no attribution to Windows and Microsoft.

McAfee has identified the tools, techniques, and network activities used in these attacks, which continue on to this day. These attacks have involved an elaborate mix of hacking techniques including social engineering, spear-phishing, Windows exploits, Active Directory compromises, and the use of remote administration tools (RATs).


Here is another new example of someone reporting about Stuxnet and blaming those who take advantage of it, not those who left the holes.

Last night, a member of hacker group Anonymous – a devious 4chan-spawned Internet coalition known for increasingly serious web-based attacks – announced on Twitter that the group was in possession of the Stuxnet virus.


Stuxnet is a subject that we covered in the posts below. It is becoming very costly to many economies.

  1. Ralph Langner Says Windows Malware Possibly Designed to Derail Iran's Nuclear Programme
  2. Windows Viruses Can be Politically Motivated Sometimes
  3. Who Needs Windows Back Doors When It's So Insecure?
  4. Windows Insecurity Becomes a Political Issue
  5. Windows, Stuxnet, and Public Stoning
  6. Stuxnet Grows Beyond Siemens-Windows Infections
  7. Has BP Already Abandoned Windows?
  8. Reports: Apple to Charge for (Security) Updates
  9. Windows Viruses Can be Politically Motivated Sometimes
  10. New Flaw in Windows Facilitates More DDOS Attacks
  11. Siemens is Bad for Industry, Partly Due to Microsoft
  12. Microsoft Security Issues in The British Press, Vista and Vista 7 No Panacea
  13. Microsoft's Negligence in Patching (Worst Amongst All Companies) to Blame for Stuxnet
  14. Microsoft Software: a Darwin Test for Incompetence
  15. Bad September for Microsoft Security, Symantec Buyout Rumours
  16. Microsoft Claims Credit for Failing in Security
  17. Many Windows Servers Being Abandoned; Minnesota Goes the Opposite Direction by Giving Microsoft Its Data
  18. Windows Users Still Under Attack From Stuxnet, Halo, and Zeus
  19. Security Propaganda From Microsoft: Villains Become Heroes
  20. Security Problems in iOS and Windows
  21. Eye on Security: BBC Propaganda, Rootkits, and Stuxnet in Iran's Nuclear Facilities
  22. Eye on Security: ClamAV Says Windows is a Virus, Microsoft Compromises Mac OS X, and Stuxnet Runs Wild
  23. Windows Kernel Vulnerability for Thanksgiving, Insecurity Used for Surveillance Again
  24. Cablegate Reveals Government Requesting Access to Microsoft Data, Kill Switches
  25. Use Microsoft Windows, Get Assassinated
  26. Iran Shows the Downside of Using Proprietary Software

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