“The US Department of Homeland Security is urging users of the Windows Operating System to apply security patches released by the company this week as quickly as possible,” Louisa Hearn reports for The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Flaws in desktop applications like Windows are being increasingly used to launch security attacks and Microsoft sends out monthly patch updates,” Hearn reports. “However one of the recently discovered flaws in its operating system has attracted special attention from the DHS and other security organisations because of the widespread damage it could cause to IT systems.”
“‘Attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems routinely occur within 24 hours of the release of a security patch. This vulnerability could impact government systems, private industry and critical infrastructure, as well as individual and home users,’ the DHS warned,” Hearn reports.
Hearn reports, “The MS06-040 server service vulnerability is considered the most ‘critical’ of the security bulletins said anti-virus company, Symantec, because the possibility for a “widespread worm that may leverage this vulnerability is high” and could result in a complete system compromise.”
Full article with here.
MacDailyNews Take: So, if you’re unfortunate enough to have to run Windows, patch that turd. Again. Windows is a cancer on personal computing and the choice to “standardize” on Windows was one of the worst mistakes ever made en masse. Thankfully, that mistake can easily be corrected: Get a Mac.
Proof that the government is a special sort of stupid is shown in the first four related articles below.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
CCIA wants U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to reconsider buying ‘insecure Microsoft software’ – August 29, 2003
U.S. Department of Homeland Security says Windows vulnerable to attack – August 01, 2003
Department of Homeland Security chose Microsoft due to time and money limitations – July 21, 2003
U.S. Department of Homeland Security awards enterprise agreement to Microsoft – July 15, 2003
Get a Mac: Viruses, spyware cost U.S. consumers $7.8 billion over last two years – August 08, 2006
Microsoft’s oft-delayed, much-pared-down Windows Vista hacked at Black Hat – August 07, 2006
Ballmer analyzes Microsoft’s One Big Mistake, Vista… er, ‘One Big’ Vista Mistake – August 02, 2006
Symantec details more security holes in Microsoft’s Windows Vista – July 26, 2006
Symantec researcher: At this time, there are no file-infecting viruses that can infect Mac OS X – July 13, 2006
Sophos: Apple Mac OS X’s security record unscathed; Windows Vista malware just a matter of time – July 07, 2006
Sophos Security: Dump Windows, Get a Mac – July 05, 2006
What Microsoft has chopped from Windows Vista, and when – June 27, 2006
Apple: ‘Get a Mac. Say ‘Buh-Bye’ to viruses’ – June 01, 2006
Security company Sophos: Apple Mac the best route for security for the masses – December 06, 2005
Hackers already targeting viruses for Microsoft’s Windows Vista – August 04, 2005
16-percent of computer users are unaffected by viruses, malware because they use Apple Macs – June 15, 2005
Laughing my A** off. MDN, your take is PRICELESS!!!
On a more serious note, how can the federal government of the USA, charged with the betterment of its people, not immediately and with most haste outlaw this software? It alone is clearly, as they have identified, a major national threat.
When the department of homeland security come out and says windows is a serious risk you think more people would get a clue. The mac isn’t perfect but at least the government doesn’t warn us about such horrible flaws.
The icing on the cake.
I hope our missile silos’ systems are up-to-date.
Mind you, didn’t I hear that the boys over at NASA were actually forced to switch to Windows a couple of years ago? If true, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!
It absolutely amazes me that people, governments, companies etc. continually defend the cancer that is Windows. It is bad for business, bad for stress levels and bad for the eyes (will Windoze EVER get anti-aliasing on fonts?)
I still find it incredible that people accept that anti-virus is a necessary piece of software.
Most Mac ‘admin’ guys I know do the job because it’s fun, and they also do it part time as well as having another profession such as graphic design or architecture so when the Macs are set up they can do some real work.
MW: fine – The fine for Microsoft releasing Windows to the world should be MASSIVE.
HAHAHA, they called it a turd. That is classic.
The insecurity of windows in government and business should be made a talking point for the November elections (all of congress).
When will we see the headline: “US Department of Homeland Security: get a Mac now or risk complete system compromise” ???
…patch that turd?
Ewwwwwwwwwww!
As Yoda would say, Don’t patch, flush!
MW-Art… as in they forgoy the f
Am I wrong or this is the first time Homeland Security warns people about Windows?
Who knows, maybe someone there is – for how improbable it might sound – opening their eyes?
Nahhhh, cannot be: it’s Homeland Security.
Windows is a cancer on personal computing and the choice to “standardize” on Windows was one of the worst mistakes ever made en masse. Thankfully, that mistake can easily be corrected:Get a Mac.
Sorry but it’s not that easy. Apple’s OS has only been as secure and reliable as it is now for about 5 years. The choice to standardize on Windows came long before OSX started to mature. Before OSX there was little reason for businesses to use Apple given that their OS wasn’t much better but the hardware came at a very high price.
Finally Apple has a complete package that is starting to be competitive but it’s still a hard sell for businesses that have sooooo much money invested in customized software. Although Apple’s product is now superior in every way they are still “late” to the game of trying to supply the business world.
For personal use it’s a no brainer. I love my Macs.
whoops…forgoy is the very far past tense of forgot (or something like that)
Meanwhile, billions of angry turds worldwide lay in quiet, steamy silence humiliated and insulted by the comparison.
At work they just announced that people who do not leave their computers on (but logged off, so that the sys admins can patch things)at night starting tonight will be shot…twice. Of course, they expect to take about a WEEK to get everything done….
@Greg M.
You are on the money dude. Add to that the costs of switching hardware and retraining people and it becomes an outrageously expensive proposition
As much as I’d like to see it I doubt biz will ever consider the mac. Even with bootcamp or parallels.
Uhm, I’m not sure what planet you’re from, but I switched in the 10.1 days, to OS 9. I surfed the net without virus protection and never got HVAC attack once on my OS 9 boxes. So my setup was definitely secure. As for reliable, the amount of reboots and system hangs was measurably less than Windows, and that’s even with an upgrade card in the thing. I was able to work and get things done without having to look over my shoulder for the first time in a long time.
Even OS 9 was light years ahead of Windows.
I LOVED OS 9, I still got a Rev. a iMac humming along with OS 9 on, just for old times sake.
Still performs VERY well, on the net (Ethernet connection) and using iCab for surfin’
Which is more than my brother can say about his Gateway he bought the SAME DAY as my iMac.
Uhm, I’m not sure what planet you’re from, but I switched in the 10.1 days, to OS 9. I surfed the net without virus protection and never got HVAC attack once on my OS 9 boxes. So my setup was definitely secure. As for reliable, the amount of reboots and system hangs was measurably less than Windows, and that’s even with an upgrade card in the thing. I was able to work and get things done without having to look over my shoulder for the first time in a long time.
Even OS 9 was light years ahead of Windows.
Bahahahahaha !!!!!!!!!
Please, the virus threat wasn’t a big problem then and OS 9 did have viruses. Apple just nipped it in the butt before it became a big problem. When Apple switched to OSX they didn’t have to consider the business world and how not being backwards compatible would affect their customers because Apple had lost in the business world long before viruses. It’s still just too expensive for many companies to switch.
Apple is far superior but it’s decisions early on are why they are still a niche computer company. Hopefully eventually the virus problem will get sooo bad that goverments and businesses will have to bite the bullet and switch but obviously we’re not there yet.
Consumers however shouldn’t even consider getting a PC.
As my little friend “Peanut” says on my DVD “Arguing With Myself” . . . “Polish a turd, it’s still a turd.”
How prescient he (I) was!
So, Chertoff was surfing for porn and got hacked?
Polish a turd and it disintegrates just like Vista code.
After the establishment of DHS, they decided to standardize their computer systems. Plenty of good secure UNIX & LINUX systems were ripped out and replaced with guess what– Windoze XP & Server. That’s right. Every operation in the Department of Homeland Security is now, or soon will be, dependent on Windows. Maybe that’s why FEMA was so screwed up after Katrina.
I bet you feel real safe now
You mean, Im more secure then the United States Government. WOW thats really sad.
GW3
JEG As much as I’d like to see it I doubt biz will ever consider the mac. Even with bootcamp or parallels.
Makes no sense. And indeed some are actually already doing it. Having a Mac and running Windows on it requires no retrain, no purchasing of new software and PC hardware is replaced anyway.
With BootCamp and Parallels switching to the Mac is practically nothing different than changing brand of PC. Businesses are already doing it. An example: Bank ParisBas, it is changing all its laptop PCs, in all EU branches with MacBook. Now rumors are they’ll do with Mac Pro as well for the desktops. People are now no more scared as switching to Mac does not mean say bye bye to Windows from day 0 as well. It can be gradual and with a leisure pace.
Ahem . . . where are all the WinFanBoys today?
Come on, you guys–you MUST be able to put some kind of positive spin on this article. After all, you’ve been apologizing for this package of fecal matter for quite some time now; something must come to mind to make it seem “OK”!
Doze has left the cockpit door unsecured for 20 years.
Microsoft – works well with terrorism.
Has anyone checked the commodity market for Duct Tape? I thought Micro$hod would be buying it up by the wheelbarrow loads.
Great for patching problems…
At least our Air Traffic controly system is still run on vacuum tube computers which probably are immune to viruses.
Hey Turd Ferguson….ever get the feeling that everyone here wants to either patch or polish you?
It seems to me that the article falls into the ‘Duh’ catagory. Too bad that the government states the obvious about Windows, but deliberately avoids the “Mac” word.
“Mind you, didn’t I hear that the boys over at NASA were actually forced to switch to Windows a couple of years ago?” – Dirty Pierre le Punk
It’s true that NASA management forced the change to Windows several years ago. Shortly after that decision was made, the courts said that NASA management couldn’t legally do that. Unfortunately the change was already in motion so it couldn’t be stopped. The good news is that many NASA engineers are specifying Macs to replace the now aging Windows computers that were rammed down their throats.
“Meanwhile, billions of angry turds worldwide lay in quiet, steamy silence humiliated and insulted by the comparison.”
Well done Ampar.
I hope our missile silos’ systems are up-to-date.
They are but all the passwords are still “00000”.
GregM almost hit the nail on the head.
“Sorry but it’s not that easy. Apple’s OS has only been as secure and reliable as it is now for about 5 years. The choice to standardize on Windows came long before OSX started to mature. Before OSX there was little reason for businesses to use Apple given that their OS wasn’t much better but the hardware came at a very high price.”
No and yes. The Mac has always been more secure than Windows, but OS 9 and previous were not as secure as OS X. There were some viruses for the Mac before X, but no where near as many as Windows had, now or then. You are right on about prices though. In the late 80’s/early 90’s, Apple priced themselves out of the game. There were many other reasons that Windows dominated too, but that is certainly one of the big ones.
“Finally Apple has a complete package that is starting to be competitive but it’s still a hard sell for businesses that have sooooo much money invested in customized software. Although Apple’s product is now superior in every way they are still “late” to the game of trying to supply the business world.”
Unfortunately he’s right. Most big businesses run on, at least some, customized software that in many cases, was written for DOS in the 80’s. There are two other very important factors involved as well though.
1. Apple still has the stigma of being the cute, fun, hippy-ish computer company, and most heads of business don’t take them seriously because it looks TOO GOOD! I can’t tell you the number of PC using people who I’ve shown things like Expose and the Dock, expecting them to be amazed, to which their reply was, “I don’t like all that flashy stuff on my computer”. <sigh>
2. IT heads have a good thing going with MS. They know Windows will misbehave, and that they’ll have to go in there like Superman and fix it for the “mere mortals” who can’t do it themselves. It gives the IT departments around the world a lot of power, and they’re not going to give that up for Macs, which, while making their life easier and saving their company great amounts of money, will also force them to lose their power in the company. Even if a CEO was to come to them and ask about Apple, they’d shoot it down to protect their domain.
“For personal use it’s a no brainer. I love my Macs.”
Absolutely. For the majority of home users, the only reason not to buy a Mac is ignorance.
It is true, Apple’s OS has only been totally reliable for 5 years. Maybe in another 20 or 50 years it might be up to par with XP or NT. In the meantime, we urge the US Department of Homeland Security to stick with their extant MS OS. — Hezbollah Intelligence Agency
I want to know what computer system the Dept. of Homeland Insecurity runs on?
Are they taking their own advice?
ndelc,
You should ask your friends what they don’t like about enhanced productivity despite how “flashy” it may be.
Ron? Where are you Ron?? No comment?! Sipping your cousin(g) pudding, you naughty hotty buoy?…
@Greg M & JEG: Businesses may have a lot invested in M$ compatibility, but they also have astronomically high on-going costs associated with viruses, maintenance & turd-polishing which far exceed the cost of the software or changing platforms.
That is simply pennywise and dollar-foolish thinking. Unfortunately, these costs are hidden, thus giving rise to such spurious and fallacious reasoning.
Jeff Dunham??? My wife, me, and several of our friends have seen you live like eight times here in the Chicago area. I have your DVD, and several more are going to be Christmas presents to various family members. You autographed Peanut and Walter for me, too.
But I gotta confess, I’m not completely convinced it’s you, because, well, I’m just not sure every celebrity would be here, quoting themselves, under their own name. Please don’t be insulted, Jeff. You’re the best ventriloquist that is or ever has been, no doubt. I’m just a little skeptical is all.
What kind of vehicles do you drive?
Ahhh. You gotta love the wingnut editors here at MacDailySpew.
They sound reasonable since they’ve chosen the Mac platform. But then they open their mouths and talk politics….
In this episode, we have on display the wingnut propensity to pick and choose facts. MDN says:
“Proof that the government is a special sort of stupid is shown in the first four related articles below.”
This should read: “Proof that the incompetent REPUBLICAN appointees in the government…”
You may recall that the previous, competent, Democrat-run government was trying to reign Microsoft in.
But facts cause cognitive dissonance in a wingnut. They are incapable of processing inconvenient truth. So they ignore the facts or villianize the messenger.
Wingnuts still cling to the words of an uncomprehending Reagan who read from the script: “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
What Republican’s can never grasp is that IGNORANCE is the root problem. But enlightened and intelligent people in government is a solution.
This is the sad, inconvenient truth:
Ignorance = Republican;
Republican Govt. = problem.
Rainy Day,
Great point! It might cost a corporation less to hire a small team of programmers to re-write their custom software from scratch on the Mac OSX platform. Someone should do a feasibility study to see if re-programming would be cheaper than all the maintenance associated with viruses, patches and difficult management tools, etc.
It’s Karma baby! Right after the Bush administration got Microsoft to settle the anti-trust lawsuit, they rewarded MS by announcing that the entire U.S. Government would standardize on Windows (later some exceptions were granted). It’s sooo infuriating that it was mandated that the government’s critical infrastructure rely on a Windows-only environment. It’s gratifying that they are now suffering for their decision, but unsettling that all the data the DHS and other government agencies have been collecting on us is guarded by a Windows server. Hopefully, a future administration will diversify their server platforms to better secure their networks.
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Home/03D636DD-8E58-4906-A17B-935BC77EED03.html