[dundee] Fwd: [ubuntu-uk] How to write a Linux virus in 5 easy steps?

[azmodie]

I think you hit the nail on the head there

azmodie

2009/2/11 Nicholas Walker <tel0seh at googlemail.com>:
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Nicholas Walker <tel0seh at googlemail.com>
> Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 2:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [dundee] Fwd: [ubuntu-uk] How to write a Linux virus in 5 easy
> steps?
> To: Tayside Linux User Group <dundee at lists.lug.org.uk>
>
>
> This is a very well written article. I think that the theory behind this is
> more of a social engineering excersise than a hack, however it does outline
> some fundamental flaws in our assumptions about our desktops. Most of us in
> the Linux community think that we sit here in our in-penetrable bubbles of
> safe, secure code, due to the open source community in effect managing
> itself as far as security is concerned. This is in my opinion, more of an
> issue of alertness as to what you do with your system.
>
>
> The flaws here are a direct result, in my opinion, of the "dumbing down" of
> linux. Perhaps that is not the right term to use.
>
> For years and years, the main issue with linux not becoming mainstream was
> useability. The expert base of linux was its safety net for years. Of
> course, to move forward, Linux had to become more accessible to standard
> users.  An improvement in useability, does not have to, but generally tends
> to result in a  reduction in security. "Too many ways to access things, not
> enough ways to prevent access to things".
>
>
> A completely secure system, is NOT an easily useable system. non-tech savvy
> people will always have issues with using secure systems. So, rather than
> take measures reduce the operating system to their level of useability, Open
> source communities need to make *learning* the operating system easier.
>
> Up until now, Linux has been the Elite, rock solid secure OS that it always
> has been, whilst slowly becoming more useable. I think now is the point,
> with  user friendly distributions of linux becoming mainstream such as
> Ubuntu, where linux is crossing the very fine sweet spot between security
> and useability, in order to grab that extra 1% of market share.
>
>
> Do we really want to cross that line, for the sake of going mainstream? Or
> do we want a product which is secure, whilst teaching those that wish to
> learn it?
>
> On Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 1:50 AM, azmodie <azmodie at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> so what the ethical hackers opinions on this then ?
>>
>> azmodie
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: alan c
>> Date: 2009/2/10
>> Subject: [ubuntu-uk] How to write a Linux virus in 5 easy steps?
>> To: British Ubuntu Talk
>>
>>
>> In the open and sharing spirit of FOSS I offer a heads up to a well
>> written item which looks like it needs some actions in response.
>> There may be some nice debate about a definition here or there, but
>> the real world is in this article as far as I can see.
>>
>> I trust it will not be long before I can feel just a little safer?
>> comments welcomed.
>>
>> I should say that if you have seen other items and comments about
>> 'linux viruses' then what you read is probably still true, in a strict
>> sense. However, I cannot fault the information given in this item, and
>> it does seem that some action can be sensibly taken by both the gnome
>> and kde teams.
>>
>> (and well done, the thunar project!!)
>>
>> Article:
>> How to write a Linux virus in 5 easy steps
>> http://www.geekzone.co.nz/foobar/6229
>> --
>> alan cocks
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> dundee GNU/Linux Users Group mailing list
>> dundee at lists.lug.org.uk  http://dundee.lug.org.uk
>> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/dundee
>> Chat on IRC, #tlug on dundee.lug.org.uk
>
>
>
> --
>
>
> Nick Walker
> Vice President : The Linux Society
> UAD Ethical Hacker
>
>
>
> --
>
>
> Nick Walker
> Vice President : The Linux Society
> UAD Ethical Hacker
>