Profit vs. vandalism in security attacks
Referencing: Attracting Attackers: Windows vs. Unix
Paul Murphy's Linux Insider article points out a major difference between Windows security attacks and Unix/Linux: Windows usually has a profit motive behind it while Unix/Linux usually doesn't. He also notes:
The bottom-line difference is that essentially all Unix attacks currently considered likely to succeed require legal access, while those on Windows uniformly don't.
It is true (and Paul hints at this) that there may be opportunistic Unix attacks now and then. You have to wonder how many of the incidents like BJ's credit card losses were specifically targeted: was it "let's crack BJ's no matter what OS they run" or was it "Hmm, here's someone running something with a weakness I can exploit". I suspect it's much more of the latter, and of course that usually means Windows.
The attitude that it's "just popularity" just took a well deserved hit from this article.
Got something to add? Send me email.
(OLDER) <- More Stuff -> (NEWER) (NEWEST)
Printer Friendly Version
-> -> Profit vs. vandalism in security attacks
Increase ad revenue 50-250% with Ezoic
Inexpensive and informative Apple related e-books:
Take Control of OS X Server
Take Control of Preview
Take Control of iCloud, Fifth Edition
iOS 8: A Take Control Crash Course
Take Control of Upgrading to El Capitan
More Articles by Tony Lawrence
Find me on Google+
© 2012-06-15 Tony Lawrence
Printer Friendly Version
Profit vs. vandalism in security attacks Copyright © August 2004 Tony Lawrence
Have you tried Searching this site?
Support RatesThis is a Unix/Linux resource website. It contains technical articles about Unix, Linux and general computing related subjects, opinion, news, help files, how-to's, tutorials and more.
Contact us
Printer Friendly Version