One thing I know for sure-if you want security you can have it right now with Mac OS X and on a computer that can run a lot of software and hardware AND run Windows XP as well. It has been five years since Mac OS X came out and there are still no major security problems.
There are security issues involving Microsoft servers but Unix, Linux, BSD (especially OpenBSD) and Apple servers usually have far fewer problems.
One of the big reasons Microsoft software is targeted is just because Microsoft uses ActiveX. A lot of adware and spyware targets ActiveX.
Any operating system can be targeted by an expert. But Microsoft operating systems have proved easier to target then other systems.
An unprotected Windows XP computer can be targeted within minutes of being put on the internet. You MUST have security software such as an antivirus, firewall, and antispyware to operate such a system on the internet. In comparison there are still a lot of people using Macintosh computers who do not have their firewalls turned on and have no antivirus or antispyware software. This is proof that Macintosh computers have more natural security then a Windows computer.
It is false to say that some systems are not targeted just because those systems are a small part of the market. A weakness in any software or hardware WILL be exploited once discovered even if something is only a small part of the market. This has already been demonstrated. Even if it is true that something is secure just because it is a small part of the market you could use that operating system or software or whatever until it started to be targeted. Who knows, Microsoft may have the safest software in the world in five years. Or Windows Vista may be a total flop when it comes to security. We can't predict the future.
In addition Microsoft has been its own worse enemy in some ways by the heavyhanded way Microsoft has sometimes treated its customers. There are people who are eager to target Microsoft.
My personal guess is that Windows Vista will be more secure then Windows XP at least at first. But I think there will be more adware and software attacks on Windows Vista just because of the ActiveX if for no other reason. You want proof? Put Firefox and Thunderbird on your Windows XP computer. You can get (for free) software that will not permit scripts being run in Firefox. Guess what? Zero adware/spyware. Prove it to yourself.
There are security issues involving Microsoft servers but Unix, Linux, BSD (especially OpenBSD) and Apple servers usually have far fewer problems.
One of the big reasons Microsoft software is targeted is just because Microsoft uses ActiveX. A lot of adware and spyware targets ActiveX.
Any operating system can be targeted by an expert. But Microsoft operating systems have proved easier to target then other systems.
An unprotected Windows XP computer can be targeted within minutes of being put on the internet. You MUST have security software such as an antivirus, firewall, and antispyware to operate such a system on the internet. In comparison there are still a lot of people using Macintosh computers who do not have their firewalls turned on and have no antivirus or antispyware software. This is proof that Macintosh computers have more natural security then a Windows computer.
It is false to say that some systems are not targeted just because those systems are a small part of the market. A weakness in any software or hardware WILL be exploited once discovered even if something is only a small part of the market. This has already been demonstrated. Even if it is true that something is secure just because it is a small part of the market you could use that operating system or software or whatever until it started to be targeted. Who knows, Microsoft may have the safest software in the world in five years. Or Windows Vista may be a total flop when it comes to security. We can't predict the future.
In addition Microsoft has been its own worse enemy in some ways by the heavyhanded way Microsoft has sometimes treated its customers. There are people who are eager to target Microsoft.
My personal guess is that Windows Vista will be more secure then Windows XP at least at first. But I think there will be more adware and software attacks on Windows Vista just because of the ActiveX if for no other reason. You want proof? Put Firefox and Thunderbird on your Windows XP computer. You can get (for free) software that will not permit scripts being run in Firefox. Guess what? Zero adware/spyware. Prove it to yourself.
