Fatal System Error on Amazon
I recently read the book “Fatal System Error” which paints a pretty harrowing picture of world-wide computer security. According to a 2008 study of 20,000 machines by security firm Secunia, 98 percent of Windows machines run at least one piece of software with a well-publicized, un-patched security vulnerability. So this leads me to think we should consider using more Mac’s in the enterprise. As Walt Mossberg recently pointed out, Macs are not inherently more secure, it’s just that there are far fewer exploits targeting them. Attacking Windows is the most efficient use of a hacker’s time apparently. Maybe use a Mac as the dedicated machine to talk to the bank that I proposed last week?
As I ponder switching to a Mac myself, I am using the NoScript Mozilla addon to help protect my poor, vulnerable Windows 7 box. Just visiting a compromised website is one of the most common ways that machines are getting hacked these days. Even totally legitimate sites are getting hacked all the time and inadvertently spreading malware. NoScript helps by preventing any scripts from running unless you explicitly allow them. It’s a bit of a bother, but then again so is identity theft….