OK, most people use Win9x. If one were to set up multiple user profiles in Win9x,
would:
a) Mozilla install its user files to that users directory?
b) would that directory be in any way protected from view by persons logging in
under another Win9x profile?
If either answer is NO, then Mozilla should consider implementing a profile
password to add even a minor layer of security to ones mail privacy, since if Win9x
doesn't encrypt or hide users' info from others, most people wouldn't bother to use
it.
If either answer is NO, then why are so many people using Win9x.? According to your
logic, this would "damage the reputation of the product (Win9x) as a whole and call
into question the integrity in other areas"? Then why are so many people using
Win9x? Despite why you or I may think about M$ and it's flawed OS, this is the
reality. Obviously, people are making their usage habits (Win9x & IE) based
primarily on convenience and not technically optimized criteria (or most people
would be using Win NT or Linux for security, but they mostly use Win9x - makes one
think, doesn't it). Mozilla must think very hard when deciding between what users
want and what is technically optimal. Mozilla must make this important compromise.
"Simon P. Lucy" wrote:
> At 18:47 18/12/2000 +0100, Peter Lairo wrote:
> >you guys just don't get it. Nobody is asking for some all inclusive security
> >system. What is merely requested is a simple and convenient way to "hinder"
> >casual,
>
> I don't think anyone is under the misapprehension that you're suggesting
> all inclusive security. I think that it is the illusion of security that
> is the problem.
>
> >accidental peeping into ones e-mail. This is similar to password protecting an
> >excel file or wordperfect document. Simple.
>
> And non-effective. If you use a password to gain access to your email
> using Mozilla how does this stop searches for text in all files by
> anyone? It is entirely non-functional except when running Mozilla. Now
> you can say, 'Oh but that's good enough' and it may well be for you. But
> for the currently 2 million other users, rising to a billion, will it
> be? Or will the extremely public knowledge of 'Oh you can password protect
> things in Mozilla, but you can just read the files normally anyway. Hey if
> you want to search all the email on your machine just hit F3.', damage the
> reputation of the product as a whole and call into question the integrity
> in other areas?
>
> It is this latter view that concerns people. The utility of protecting
> files from different users isn't doubted, this just isn't the way to do it.
>
> Simon
--
Regards,
Peter Lairo
