Microsoft founder Bill Gates, 49, talks about the thorny issues of computer security and other issues with SPIEGEL magazine. In the interview, Gates espouses homogenous operating system use. An excerpt:
Gates: The truth is: the fewer operating systems there are within a company, the better it is from a security point of view.
SPIEGEL: I beg your pardon?
Gates: Simply because one must spend billions of dollars to ensure the security of each individual system. Our company has an unbelievable number of people who are solely responsible for this type of security around the clock.
SPIEGEL: The particular charm of Linux is that it is an adaptable system that users can shape themselves.
Gates: If everything runs under the same platform, however, you can better concentrate resources and more quickly repair errors. For instance, in a hospital where different systems are used, a single problem in one section cause the other systems to crash. Thus, from a security standpoint it is always better to focus on one system.
SPIEGEL: But your small competitor Apple, for example, is much less frequently a victim of virus attacks …
Gates: … put so sweepingly, that is not correct. Of course we are the largest target, simply because we have the most widely disseminated system. But it affects others in exactly the same way. Linux is, in many respects, even more significantly affected.
SPIEGEL: In a few hours a Windows virus can travel across the world like an epidemic…
Gates: … above all because of our global popularity. But we know that. And we must apply still more time and money to it. However, spam or data theft are not questions of the operating system. For this, you also need laws and global standards.
SPIEGEL: Once again: Windows is the most vulnerable.
Gates: You could look at that in many ways. The speed with which, for example, the Linux community reacts to problems is not especially high — that’s because this system, unlike ours, simply does not keep thousands of people on standby to deal with problems. In this respect, a commercially distributed operating system also has decisive benefits. Sweeping judgments don’t help because we all have to take the problems seriously. Even Linux developers know that there is no miracle cure in Linuxland. They, too, must continue to work and continue to make progress.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Note how Gates turns the conversation from Apple’s Mac platform to Linux and makes no mention of Mac OS X. That’s very telling, as are the related articles below. One can only hope that those wedded firmly to homogenous Microsoft Windows networks, will wake up and realize that diversity of platforms is the best course to chart for the future if security is really their goal.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Single Mac keeps company running while Windows machines fail due to Blaster worm – August 13, 2003
MSBlaster Windows worm cost: hundreds of millions of dollars – August 13, 2003
Congress members frustrated with computer viruses wonder how to protect public – September 11, 2003
Monocultures are ALWAYS more susceptible to epidemics, including (or especially) electronic ills.
Magic word: number. As in, maybe Bill fears Microsoft’s number is up, a consummation devoutly to be wished.
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He knows he’s wrong, he is such a politician for his own product he will spew these lies. Its very similar to biology, if everyone is the same and a virus attacks us and we are vulnerable we all die. If mixed within the whole there are differences, then we are not ALL vulnerable and we all won’t die. If our biology works that way then it’s the right way.
Notice the abject fear as Gates’ eyes (conversationally) STAY turned away from OS X. He can’t even address it. Good example is like a beaten dog. If a dog has been beaten, when you raise your hand, it turns away from you but still cringes.
Gates’ fear of Mac shows clearly here. And he has always had this problem in interviews. Look at it… he keeps talking over the interviewer.
Brought to you by the magic word DEFENSE, as in Bill’s on the defense now that people are finding out the important issue about OS’s. Security.
And I suppose all of Nebraska should be sown with a single strain of wheat?
“…a single problem in one section cause the other systems to crash.” “…it affects others in exactly the same way.”
No wonder this guy got blindsided by the Internet. Apparently he still doesn’t get it.
bill comes across like a sad, pathetic man who is in denial.
It is commercial suicide for any company to use just a mono-operating system on their network.
Theres a phrase in the UK – ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’!
Actually he is right – one operating system is best. Of course, that is OS X and not Windows.
Foshizzil myswizzil, somebody need to pop a cap in this mofo’s arse for once for all his lies.
True. True.
Whoah… my magic word is “True.”
How many stories have we heard that during a major virus outbreak, an entire company was run on a lone Powerbook?
does anyone actually expect Gates to say “Well sure Apple’s operating system is far less vulnerable than ours! And not because of it’s smaller market share, oh no, but because it is much higher quality in construction and security features. EVERYONE knows this, even we here at Microsoft. That’s why we think it’s a good idea for every business and individual to be responsible and diversify their operating systems. Windows, or any OS for that matter, can’t be trusted to work in a homogenous environment.”
Seriously, why bag the guy for doing exactly what any CEO is going to do. Talk up their company and how great they are for the entirety of Terra Firma?
Gates is a tool, but this interview has little to do with it.
did u guys see that article about Halo turning into a movie?
Micosh*t alrdy hired a director
i think thats y that quit the bungie team
oops i meant the former pres of bungie
Man, they are handing out some serious kool aid at Microsoft these days. Are they practicing the “Big Lie” theory or what! First we get Ballmer telling us that MS was first with everything, now Gates is claming that a single platform is more secure than multiple platforms.
Is he really that out of touch?
Good.
The company will drown in its own kool aid.
Talk about reality distortion fields. Steve has nothing on this.
“Gates’ fear of Mac shows clearly here. And he has always had this problem in interviews. Look at it… he keeps talking over the interviewer.”
Yeah, Bill’s scared of Mac’s shrinking market share. Don’t kid yourself, he’s far more nervous of Linux than Max OS. He couldn’t give a rats ass about Mac.
> Theres a phrase in the UK – ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’!
Well, there’s a US corollary: Put all your eggs in one basket- then WATCH THAT BASKET! Who needs a single, intelligent purchasing decision when you have “thousands of people on standby to deal with problems”? Is Gates vying for a Homeland Security contract or something?
I don’t have a monoculture in my home units… I’m holding out on my WinNT box at work… and I can get to work by car, motorcycle, two bicycles, several bus routes… and I even hiked it once, just to prove a point.
God, Dont flatter yourselves people. The interview had nothing to do with OS X . Its just another interview with BG. Who cares. Maybe if you people would actually do something (like get people to switch) instead of waiting for news on microsoft just so you can bash the hell out of any little thing you can find to bash. There might be more Mac users out there. But instead you all make it known that you are somehow, someway, “superior” to everyone else (Grow-up, It is a computer, right?) just because of the computer you drive… This is part of the reason why people dont swtch to the snobby, yuppi, dinkish “cult” known as Mac. I use em both..(so bash me for it,infact flame me for it, I dont care) does it really make a difference?. So I guess I should have some sort of “Split” personality, keeping one part of the brain from using the other..Puh-Lease. Im mean come on. If you guys really believe that a computer makes you superior, than you all have another thing coming. I drive a ferrari, So therefore, the car YOU drive, the computer you use, and the house you live in are all inferior to my successful lifestyle (now does that sound like a friggin adult?????) (or are you all like 14, still poping zits and wiping of the keyboard when your done?)…Grow up tight wads.
brought to you by “these” as in Some of *These* Mac people need to grow the hell up.
Why should Gates talk about OS X? Linux is far more prevalent in the enterprise market and therefore more of a worry for Microsoft. With Linux, you don’t have to buy new Intel hardware, just change the OS from Windows. It’s a different story for Apple. And besides, the interview was with Bill Gates, not Steve Jobs.
bill gates, a liar?
no way…
Microsoft is sponsoring all the studies that say Linux and OS X are vulnerable to virus attack if you have physical access to the machine.
They also pay security companies to find security flaws in Linux and OS X and release those results at just the right moment. They had one sit on 5 OS X flaws an release them just after the Mac mini debut. Good thing there was no ‘We Are Invulnerable’ add campaign.
If there ever is a successful Mac OS X virus or trojan Microsoft will have bought and paid for it and probably picked just the right time for it’s release.
Yes Bill Gates is scared. Scared shitless.
the man can’t see the forrest thru the trees. i wonder if he was doodling during the interview.
He’s been saying this stuff since the 80’s…
the hitch..
VIrus Writers are developers too..
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and they looooove Windows…
Gates is right..but Windows still blows..
MS should be making enough money to hire people and stamp out these problems.. and that’s what they do.
Then again… their OS is so old and full of holes..
“HEY GUYS”
Easy on the punch boy. You could put an eye out!
Magic word “Nuclear” How did MDN know?
Maybe if you people would actually do something (like get people to switch) […]
Oh, the irony.
“Microsoft is sponsoring all the studies that say Linux and OS X are vulnerable to virus attack if you have physical access to the machine.”
Microsoft has sponsored countless “independent” Linux studies proclaiming security issues, NEVER for Mac OS.
Get your facts straight. BG does not care about Mac OS period. Linux, definitely, Mac, no.
“Gates: … However, spam or data theft are not questions of the operating system. For this, you also need laws and global standards.”
Laws and global standards are BG’s last refuge. He knows he can’t compete in the market of ideas. I have a feeling that this initiative is more to protect his future business, than it is a security issue.