To answer your question truthfully - yes - there actually have been a - handful - of Linux viruses - however, there are so few, they are not really being counted - compared to the millions written for Windows. My take on the reasons that is: (1) As you pointed out, yes, Windows are currently in power in most of the business world (in the US only - Linux is huge in almost all the other countries) (2) Because Linux is "open source" meaning that Linux's operating system - and - all - of it's application software - must - have the source code posted on the web somewhere, so why would you take the time to write a virus when all you have to do is review the source code and close the hole. (Same thing with Firefox, OpenOffice, etc - the source code for these can be found on the web) (3) Another tidbit: *As reported to me - 11/16/11* You probably haven't kept up with the world of virus in MS. People don't write most viruses, computers create them off of a assembly line. Indeed, there are now virus factories on the web. If you want to create your own unique virus, you just log into a virus factory site and tell it what you want. It gives you a nice shiny new virus that no one has ever seen before. That explains why there are currently about 70,000 new viruses per day! In point of fact: There are even YouTube videos on how to create Windows viruses !!!!! Other facts: (1) Over 80 percent of the Web Servers in the world are run by Linux (2) The ones (websites) that have been breached with secure data being stolen are running Windows Web Servers. (3) I was told by a Linux guy who worked with an MS security guy, that MS - internally - do NOT even run their own security package - they run an external third-party package ! This is from 2003 but still relevant: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/06/linux_vs_windows_viruses/ Duaine On 01/10/2013 10:01 AM, Encore Pianos wrote: > Question Duane: > > Viruses are generally written for MS Windows because it is by far the most > widely used operating system, with the greatest number of applications > designed to run on the various flavors of that OS. > > In principle, is there any reason why an enterprising sociopath could not > write a virus for Linux if he were so inclined? I'm not asking about > viruses written for Windows. > > Will Truitt > > -----Original Message----- > From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf > Of Duaine Hechler > Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 10:41 AM > To: pianotech at ptg.org > Subject: Re: [pianotech] OT: Re: Possible antivirus software misconceptions > > As I said before, Linux does not know how to operate on windows software and > supporting files (like Word & Excel macros) so they are ignored. > > This is way you have to have a virtualization software (VirtualBox) to > actually be able to run Windows OS within Linux. > > Graphically: Linux - VirtualBox - Windows xx > > I'm not sure how else to explain it. > > Duaine > > On 01/09/2013 10:59 PM, tnrwim at aol.com wrote: >> That's a copout. Back to my original question. Why isn't Linux effected by > viruses? >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net> >> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org> >> Sent: Wed, Jan 9, 2013 6:44 pm >> Subject: Re: [pianotech] OT: Re: Possible antivirus software >> misconceptions >> >> Magic of the "computer age" ! >> >> On 01/09/2013 08:25 PM,tnrwim at aol.com <mailto:tnrwim at aol.com> wrote: >>> How can it do that? >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Jan 9, 2013, at 3:10 PM, Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net > <mailto:dahechler at att.net>> wrote: >>>> Yes, correct. >>>> >>>> Duaine >>>> >>>> On 01/09/2013 06:36 PM,tnrwim at aol.com <mailto:tnrwim at aol.com> wrote: >>>>> Duaine. I understand that concept. But a virus is an outside >>>>> "part" that >> effects both systems, kind of like humidity causes both to go out of >> tune. So are you saying Linux is not effected by "humidity" changes, or > outside viruses? >>>>> Wim >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 9, 2013, at 10:30 AM, Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net > <mailto:dahechler at att.net>> wrote: >>>>>> Well.....lets put it this way............. >>>>>> >>>>>> Since you know the difference between "uprights" and "grands"....... >>>>>> >>>>>> Say Windows is equal to grands and say Linux / UNIX / Mac is >>>>>> equal to >> uprights. >>>>>> And lets assume that there are absolutely NO parts can cross into >>>>>> each >> other - that's how it is between Windows vs. Linux / UNIX / Mac. >>>>>> So Windows viruses / worms / etc will not work (fit onto) on >>>>>> Linux / UNIX / >> Mac. >>>>>> Is this any clearer ? >>>>>> >>>>>> Duaine >>>>>> >>>>>> On 01/09/2013 12:20 PM,tnrwim at aol.com <mailto:tnrwim at aol.com> > wrote: >>>>>>> Duaine >>>>>>> You say it's fairly simple. But I have no idea what you're >>>>>>> saying. You >> might think it's simple, but you're explaining how to listen to beats >> between notes to someone who is deaf. But thanks for trying. >>>>>>> Wim >>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>> From: Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net >>>>>>> <mailto:dahechler at att.net>> >>>>>>> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>> >>>>>>> Sent: Tue, Jan 8, 2013 9:10 pm >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Possible antivirus software >>>>>>> misconceptions >>>>>>> >>>>>>> After thought........... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Way back in 2003, I found out that Microsoft is hiding behind >>>>>>> Linux boxes >> to >>>>>>> protect their own butts from getting viruses / worms / etc. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 01/08/2013 12:31 PM, Duaine Hechler wrote: >>>>>>>> It's fairly simple......... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Other OS'es like Linux and Mac (since it is a derivative of >>>>>>>> UNIX / Linux) >> have >>>>>>> no idea what to do with "Windows" virus >>>>>>>> / worms, etc. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To get a little deeper in to it.......... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> "___.bat" "____.exe" "___.dll" are "executables" and Linux > / UNIX >> do >>>>>>> NOT know how to operate on these types of >>>>>>>> executables, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The Linux / UNIX "___.so" is more or less equivalent of the >>>>>>>> "___.dll" in >>>>>>> Windows. >>>>>>>> And, any of the MS Office macros are ignored by Linux's >>>>>>>> OpenOffice / >>>>>>> LibreOffice. >>>>>>>> As I've stated many times before, I'm going on 13+ years with >>>>>>>> NO >> antivirus >>>>>>> software - and - NO viruses / worms / etc. >>>>>>>> Oh, and yes, there are antivirus software packages for Linux / >>>>>>>> UNIX, >> which >>>>>>> referencing above, I have never used one >>>>>>>> (even though, I'm connected to the internet 24/7 and download >>>>>>>> stuff all >> the >>>>>>> time). >>>>>>>> Duaine >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> P.S. There is a program called VirtualBox (virtualbox.org) that >>>>>>>> I run >> within >>>>>>> Linux to run a virtual "real" copy of >>>>>>>> Windows XP - for all my "windows" needs. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 01/08/2013 11:36 AM,tnrwim at aol.com <mailto:tnrwim at aol.com> > <mailto:tnrwim at aol.com <mailto:tnrwim at aol.com?>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> Duaine >>>>>>>>> you said. >>>>>>>>> "SO bottom line, antivirus software is as good as the ONLY >>>>>>>>> known viruses >>>>>>>>> - thus being forever in "responsive" or "reactive" mode. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Furthermore, the ONLY way to get out of this "reactionary" or > "catch 22" >>>>>>>>> mode is to get off Windows." >>>>>>>>> If the anti virus software only catches known viruses on >>>>>>>>> Windows, >> wouldn't >>>>>>> anti virus software only catch known >>>>>>>>> viruses on any other operating system? What's the difference? >>>>>>>>> Wim >>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>>> From: Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net > <mailto:dahechler at att.net> <mailto:dahechler at att.net > <mailto:dahechler at att.net?>>> >>>>>>>>> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org> > <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org?>>> >>>>>>>>> Sent: Tue, Jan 8, 2013 6:16 am >>>>>>>>> Subject: [pianotech] Possible antivirus software >>>>>>>>> misconceptions >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> When my brother-in-law was still on Windows using AVG >>>>>>>>> antivirus software, he kept complaining about STILL getting > viruses, worms, etc. >>>>>>>>> In case you didn't know, antivirus software is a "reactionary" >>>>>>>>> software package. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> They ONLY handle KNOWN viruses, worms, etc. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Meaning that if someone writes a NEW virus and it infects your >>>>>>>>> computers, you can't blame it on the antivirus software >>>>>>>>> (because they don't know about it yet). >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> That virus that just hit you (and others) has to be reported >>>>>>>>> and/or discovered by the antivirus software companies. THEN >>>>>>>>> they have to write a "trap" for that virus, THEN roll it out to > you as an update. >>>>>>>>> SO bottom line, antivirus software is as good as the ONLY >>>>>>>>> known viruses >>>>>>>>> - thus being forever in "responsive" or "reactive" mode. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Furthermore, the ONLY way to get out of this "reactionary" or > "catch 22" >>>>>>>>> mode is to get off Windows. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> Duaine Hechler >>>>>>>>> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ Tuning, Servicing & >>>>>>>>> Rebuilding Reed Organ Society Member Florissant, MO 63034 >>>>>>>>> (314) 838-5587 >>>>>>>>> dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net> > <mailto:dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net?>> > <mailto:dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net?> >> <mailto:dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net?>?>> >>>>>>>>> www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> > <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> >> <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> Home & Business user of Linux - 10 years >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> Duaine Hechler >>>>>>> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding >>>>>>> (314) 838-5587 /dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net> > <mailto:dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net?>> >> /www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> > <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> >>>>>>> Home & Business user of Linux - 12 years >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Duaine Hechler >>>>>> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding >>>>>> (314) 838-5587 /dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net> >>>>>> /www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com >>>>>> <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> >>>>>> Home & Business user of Linux - 12 years >>>> -- >>>> Duaine Hechler >>>> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding >>>> (314) 838-5587 /dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net> >>>> /www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com >>>> <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> >>>> Home & Business user of Linux - 12 years >>>> >> >> -- >> Duaine Hechler >> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding >> (314) 838-5587 /dahechler at att.net <mailto:dahechler at att.net> >> /www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com> >> Home & Business user of Linux - 12 years >> > > -- > Duaine Hechler > Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding > (314) 838-5587 / dahechler at att.net / www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com Home & > Business user of Linux - 12 years > > > > -- Duaine Hechler Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding (314) 838-5587 / dahechler at att.net / www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com Home & Business user of Linux - 12 years
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC