NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: PHIL HOCHMUTH ON LINUX 11/15/04 Today's focus: Mailbag: Readers call into question Linux security report
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Reader comments flood in regarding mi2g study on Linux * Links related to Linux * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Microsoft Why pay more for Linux than Microsoft(R) Windows(R)? Through a variety of tests and comparisons, major third-party research and analysis firms found Windows to be less expensive than Linux in the long run. Read all the studies and see for yourself. Click here to get the facts. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88245 _______________________________________________________________ IT SECURITY JOBS TO EXPLODE With an annual compound rate of nearly 14% from now until 2008, information security jobs are far outpacing IT jobs in general. For more results from this recent survey conducted by IDC of full-time security pros in 80 counties worldwide, click here: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88271 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Mailbag: Readers call into question Linux security report By Phil Hochmuth Linux vs. Windows security studies always stir up a lot of emotions among newsletter subscribers, but last week's issue about a study by British IT security research firm mi2g topped them all in terms of reader ire. Many dozens of e-mails came in commenting on the mi2g study, which claimed that Linux was the most-attacked operating system on computers attached to the Internet. The firm claims to have examined data from around 240,000 computer hacks over the last year. It says Linux was the operating system on 65% of the incidents it looked at, while Microsoft made up 25%. FreeBSD was deemed "most secure" showing up in only 4% of the incidents studied. Since the mi2g released its study, observers have called into question some of the firm's methodology. The fact that the study counted breaches mainly as "manual" hack attacks on a computer and not count automated attacks spurred by viruses and Trojans, left much out of the picture. Because of this, readers were quick to call into question the credibility of mi2g. Several readers pointed out that mi2g studies have been suspect in the past, such as previous reports that presented unrealistic numbers on the worldwide cost of cybercrime, or statistics on Web site defacements (see <http://vmyths.com/rant.cfm?id=637&page=4> and <http://www.attrition.org/errata/charlatan/mi2g-history.html> ). One reader wrote: "Mi2g has been duped and discredited on more than one occasion. You can skew almost any statistical analysis in the direction you wish. When reading the report, something just doesn't add up, which makes me very skeptical about its findings and mi2g." Another reader says a larger pool of incidents should have been considered in the report. "[Mi2g] analyzed 240,000 'digital breaches,' what about the many millions of worm infestations over the past year?" asked another reader. "This sounds quite slanted to me - as though it culled Linux-specific incidents from a much larger data pool." And of course, many readers questioned the underlying motives of mi2g's report. (What good Linux rant would be complete without Microsoft conspiracy theories?) "I would lay even money on mi2g being funded, whether secretly or not, by Microsoft," said this reader. "We've seen this too many times. Microsoft only responsible for 25% of security breaches? Puh-leez!" RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS The Extended Enterprise Issue Network World, 11/15/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/ee/2004/ _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Phil Hochmuth Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Editor and a former systems integrator. You can reach him at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Microsoft Why pay more for Linux than Microsoft(R) Windows(R)? Through a variety of tests and comparisons, major third-party research and analysis firms found Windows to be less expensive than Linux in the long run. Read all the studies and see for yourself. Click here to get the facts. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88244 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Breaking Linux news from Network World and around the 'Net, updated daily: http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/linux.html Archive of the Linux newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/linux/index.html _______________________________________________________________ Stop playing guessing games with IT efficiency Benefit from a set of best practices that provide IT with a comprehensive checklist for optimizing in the face of change. Tune in today. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88455 _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NEW! Website dedicated to Networking for Small Business now available The editors of NW Fusion and PC World have combined all their expert advice, authority, and know-how into a powerful new tool for small businesses, the new Networking for Small Business website. Get news, how-to's, product reviews, and expert advice specifically tailored to your small business needs. Find help with Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software, and Wireless & Mobile technology at: <http://www.networkingsmallbusiness.com/> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply today at http://www.subscribenw.com/nl2 International subscribers click here: http://nww1.com/go/circ_promo.html _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx> To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Preferences.aspx> To change your e-mail address, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx> Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to this message. This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please use this address when modifying your subscription. _______________________________________________________________ Have editorial comments? Write Jeff Caruso, Newsletter Editor, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Inquiries to: NL Customer Service, Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 For advertising information, write Kevin Normandeau, V.P. of Online Development, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Copyright Network World, Inc., 2004 ------------------------ This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
