Is the open Internet dead?

[Tacitus]

Interesting topic on Today this morning.  The premise is that the unstoppable rise in malware threatens to destroy the internet and the idea of the 'open' PC.  The reference to Apple and the iPhone echoes what we were saying about signed code over on another thread. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7457000/7457841.stm

If Microsoft had paid more attention to developing a decent OS rather than focus on destroying others to ensure a monopoly, the computer world might be better for it. 

Linux may be better (= more secure) but it suffers from the same problems that bedevilled other Unix vendors during the 80s.  Instead of uniting round SVR4, they each went their own way, leaving an open goal for Bill Gates.  That said with the rise of Asus small laptop running Linux, things may be about to change.

[Sebby]

I believe we can combat malware, but users need to be far more educated on the topic.

[somanyholes]

all developers should have to do some kind of secure coding exam, at least for the main os's out there. I think the mobile web is going to cause my security headaches in the long run, primarily due to the wireless nature of it.

[Noreen]

I believe we can combat malware, but users need to be far more educated on the topic.

From what I've seen the layman has now realised that he must have anti-virus software but has yet to realise that he has also got to have anti-malware installed, presumably because infection may not be so obvious.

[Simon]

Quite a few AV programs now incorporate anti-malware, so I suppose that's a step in the right direction.

[Rik]

The argument for the dumb terminal, where all security is handled by the ISP, still has merit in my book.

[Noreen]

I'm sure that all forum members have anti-virus and anti-malware software installed and install most security updates but I know from my own family that several of them don't. It seems to frighten them with possible complications and problems, as much as I dislike the idea it seems that some people need to have things done for them automatically.

[Rik]

I agree, Noreen. Too many people I know go 'naked' onto the net.

[Tacitus]

From what I've seen the layman has now realised that he must have anti-virus software but has yet to realise that he has also got to have anti-malware installed, presumably because infection may not be so obvious.

The problem is though that AV software generally acts post the appearance of specific malware, even though it uses heuristics to look for files that may be a virus.   IOW it can only truly detect a virus once it has appeared and been analysed. 

The OS should be designed to make it difficult for this stuff to get a grip, hence the arguments about code signing and the restrictions as to what can/cannot run on the machine.  That said, there's no such thing as 100% security.

Whilst Apple's approach is good for security, the downside is they gain a high degree of control.  This may be benevolent or more likely, it may not.

[Andy70]

The problem is though that AV software generally acts post the appearance of specific malware, even though it uses heuristics to look for files that may be a virus.   IOW it can only truly detect a virus once it has appeared and been analysed. 

The OS should be designed to make it difficult for this stuff to get a grip, hence the arguments about code signing and the restrictions as to what can/cannot run on the machine.  That said, there's no such thing as 100% security.

Whilst Apple's approach is good for security, the downside is they gain a high degree of control.  This may be benevolent or more likely, it may not.

Is that so? - i've been looking at a Mac Mini for a while now.... could make my life complete..... lol

[Andy70]

The problem is though that AV software generally acts post the appearance of specific malware, even though it uses heuristics to look for files that may be a virus.   IOW it can only truly detect a virus once it has appeared and been analysed. 

The OS should be designed to make it difficult for this stuff to get a grip, hence the arguments about code signing and the restrictions as to what can/cannot run on the machine.  That said, there's no such thing as 100% security.

Whilst Apple's approach is good for security, the downside is they gain a high degree of control.  This may be benevolent or more likely, it may not.

........... to the footnote.........

i was with IDNet 

[Philip]

Too many people I know go 'naked' onto the net.

I have some decency, I keep my underpants on.

[Ted]

I agree, Noreen. Too many people I know go 'naked' onto the net.

I knew i should have turned that webcam off

[Simon]

Are we going to see some 'true confessions' here?  Is anyone going to admit to naked surfing?    

[Niall]

I agree, Noreen. Too many people I know go 'naked' onto the net.

This is the major irritation for me. You can't really blame people if they know no different (although it still annoys me that they haven't thought about security, other than the PC World rep lying to them to get a sale of Norton internet suite) but I really, REALLY think that there should be far more advertising on TV & Radio about the products available for security. Even most computer magazines that I sometimes quickly scan when looking for photography mags, show general information about general things, and only briefly mention security unless they have a special on a package that month.

Education, education, education.

Hmm, that sounds familiar

[Ted]

Are we going to see some 'true confessions' here?  Is anyone going to admit to naked surfing?    

Well........there was this one time when Liz typed in [link removed] by mistake, but lets not go there

Edit
Actually i just went there and you really do not want to go there

[Simon]

Had to edit that link, Ted, and will now endeavour to erase my cache with the highest level of security.   

[Ted]

Had to edit that link, Ted, and will now endeavour to erase my cache with the highest level of security.   

Sorry  Simon,
As soon as i realised, i edited it away from there
Thanks.

[Simon]

No worries, Ted.   

[Rik]

I have some decency, I keep my underpants on.

I use my soft furry sporran.

[Danni]

Is there anything wrong with being naked while on the internet?

[Sebby]

You mean there are pictures somewhere on the internet, Danni?

[Danni]

I have one in my web directory from a few years ago...

[Sebby]