Bruce Schneier is one of the world’s foremost security experts. His latest book is “Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly About Security in an Uncertain World.” Schneier’s latest article is titled, “Who says safe computing must remain a pipe dream?”
Schneier writes for CNET, “I am regularly asked what average Internet users can do to ensure their security. My first answer is usually, ‘Nothing–you’re screwed.’ But that’s not true, and the reality is more complicated. You’re screwed if you do nothing to protect yourself, but there are many things you can do to increase your security on the Internet. Two years ago, I published a list of PC security recommendations. The idea was to give home users concrete actions they could take to improve security. This is an update of that list: a dozen things you can do to improve your security.”
Schneier then goes through his list. When he comes to operating systems, Schneier writes, “If possible, don’t use Microsoft Windows. Buy a Macintosh or use Linux. If you must use Windows, set up Automatic Update so that you automatically receive security patches. Schneier’s advice on applications is to “limit the number of applications on your machine. If you don’t need it, don’t install it. If you no longer need it, uninstall it. Look into one of the free office suites as an alternative to Microsoft Office… Don’t use Microsoft Internet Explorer, period… Don’t use Outlook or Outlook Express. If you must use Microsoft Office, enable macro virus protection.”
Schneier writes, “I’m stuck using Microsoft Windows and Office, but I use Opera for Web browsing and Eudora for e-mail.” Schneier doesn’t explain why he’s “stuck” with Windows and Office.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: So, if you want truly secure computing, don’t use Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
For our Windows-only friends interested in a better way, you can find information about adding a safe, secure, powerful, and fun Mac OS X machine to your computing arsenal here. You can do it and you’ll be very glad if you do.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Is Mac OS X really inherently more secure than Windows? – August 26, 2003
BusinessWeek’s Haddad gets it wrong; thinks low market share spares Macs from viruses – August 28, 2003
Shattering the Mac OS X ‘security through obscurity’ myth – August 28, 2003
Fortune columnist: ‘get a Mac’ to thwart viruses; right answer for the wrong reasons – September 02, 2003
Wall Street Journal’s Mossberg on making the switch from Windows to Mac – September 18, 2003
New York Times: Mac OS X ‘much more secure than Windows XP’ – September 18, 2003
Columnist tries the ‘security through obscurity’ myth to defend Windows vs. Macs on virus front – October 1, 2003
Gates: Windows ‘by far the most secure’ system; tries to use ‘Mac OS X secure through obscurity’ myth – January 27, 2004
Mac OS X has no viruses; what’s wrong with Windows? – February 11, 2004
SmartMoney: Long-suffering Windows users can only dare to dream of Mac’s ease-of-use – February 12, 2004
Spyware, adware plague Windows users online; Mac OS X users surf freely – April 19, 2004
Gartner: Worms jack up the total cost of Microsoft Windows – May 07, 2004
Windows ‘Scob’ virus designed to steal financial data, passwords; Macintosh unaffected – June 26, 2004
Tired of patching patches to patch Windows patches? Writer suggests getting a Mac – August 03, 2004
Mossberg: Dump your Windows machine and get an Apple Macintosh to free yourself of spyware – August 25, 2004
Millions of Windows PC’s hijacked by hackers, turned into zombies; Macintosh unaffected – September 08, 2004
Security is top priority in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 12, 2004
Windows XP worm speaks to users as it deletes their files; Macintosh unaffected – September 13, 2004
University of Chicago recommends all students patch Windows at least once a day – September 14, 2004
USA Today columinst angry about Windows viruses, adware, spyware – September 15, 2004
Windows besieged by hackers; number of Windows viruses soars by more than 400% – September 20, 2004
USA Today: people are switching from Windows to Mac because of security issues – September 21, 2004
Mossberg: Apple iMac G5 ‘powerful, affordable, virus-free with better, more modern OS than Windows XP’ – September 23, 2004
Information Security Investigator says switch from Windows to Mac OS X for security – September 24, 2004
Cyber-security adviser uses Apple Macintosh to avoid Windows’ security woes – September 27, 2004
Even Bill Gates can’t avoid Windows malware; Mac users surf the Web freely – October 03, 2004
Windows desktop monopoly threatened by secure, safe Apple Mac OS X – October 04, 2004
Windows users’ security woes spark interest in Apple’s secure Mac OS X – October 06, 2004
Microsoft: The safest way to run Windows is on your Mac – October 08, 2004
Windows users line up to pay for spyware removal; Mac users surf Web with impunity – October 18, 2004
Ballmer blames Windows users for not upgrading systems as Microsoft’s biggest security problem – October 22, 2004
Spyware plagues Windows users while Mac users surf Net with impunity – November 01, 2004
Sick of spyware, adware infecting your PC? Don’t fret, just get a Mac – November 01, 2004
Security test: Windows XP system easily compromised while Apple’s Mac OS X stands safe and secure – November 30, 2004
No sh!+ Sherlock.
Then again since Apple doesn’t advertise anything but the iPod, we need more articles like this.
I really think the $$$$ they spent on the Apple Stores is a more efficient way to grow installed user base than spending the same amount on TV ads. A few ads would make us feel better but would it increase sales?
My, my … interesting for its take on Microsoft products: Don’t use them — period. Ownership of the word “beleaguered” has passed fully to Windows and its users — and this from a company that spends billions on (cough) innovation. Windows has always been a lemon. The majority, as usual, are misinformed; but they have been so captured that change is almost unthinkable. Fine with me.
If you want safe computing, don’t connect to the internet and don’t insert any external media … unless you have a Mac, of course.
In other news, experts report that people should not: 1) Run with sharp objects, 2) Play with fire, 3) Poke sharp objects into your eyes, and 4) Put a loaded gun to your temple and pull the trigger.
These, and other obscure facts, can be found in the “Journal of ‘Duh’�.”
Great f***ing article!
I hate M$!
THIS GUY IS A FSCKING MORON…Just like the rest of you.
LOL, We havent had security issues in 2 years. If your IT people are to stupid to admin a windows network then fire them. Flame me if you will (I AM A TROLL). But it doesn’t change the fact that this guy is a dumbass. The only thing he said that had any meaning was “set up Automatic Update so that you automatically receive security patches. Schneier’s advice on applications is to “limit the number of applications on your machine. If you don’t need it, don’t install it. If you no longer need it, uninstall it.”
DUH!! Is this guy from outer space or what..
NoMacForYou, just some points IMO:
– not every user has got IT people behind who he can fire, most users are their own IT people themselves.
– you didn’t have security issues in 2 years? We didn’t have in 10 (ten, say X) years, without LOL, on all our Macs.
– If you call somebody a d…ss as a fact, I expect you to provide prove, which you didn’t.
– Schneier mentioned not only one meaningful thing; I’ve read some more: backup, how to store and delete backups, browsers, passwords, and more, all quite meaningful and pragmatic.
No flames, just some thoughts…
Dude, Bill Gates is a member of the Globalist Illuminati!!!