Microsoft To Attack Linux Over Security, Of All Things

by , 11:00 AM EST, November 12th, 2003

What's a good sign that a company is winning over the customers of another company? Why, the company fighting back, of course! Now, what is Microsoft's weakest point when it comes to Windows? Security. Now, take those two answers together, and what do you get? According to an article at InfoWorld, Microsoft is preparing to attack the Linux community over lax security. Microsoft has hired analysts to compare the speed in which security holes are patched on both systems, focusing on the lower-profile holes in Linux that may be overlooked. From InfoWorld:

In a sign that the inroads made by the Open Source community are starting to rattle the software giant, Microsoft has hired several analysts to review how fast holes are patched in the open source software and is expected to announce that Windows compares favorably.

The strategy, called "Days of Risk," measures the number of days it takes programmers to release a public patch after a vulnerability is revealed. While high-profile holes in Linux and associated software tend to be swiftly dealt with, less prominent problems -- which could be just as potentially damaging -- can take weeks or even months to appear.

Microsoft's aim is to undermine critics and place a question mark over Linux's security by revealing that, on average, Windows poses less of a security risk. By turning attention away from its own software bugs while at the same time launching several security initiatives, it hopes to be able to tackle one of main worries business has with its proprietary operating system.

You can read the full article at InfoWorld's Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

While Microsoft may not be running scared just yet, the company is digging a trench and setting up the machine guns. Unfortunately for Big Redmond, however, these defenses bear a strong resemblance to the Maginot Line.

Security of all things?

Note to Microsoft: Before accusing the Linux world of being a blackened kettle, you should probably realize your are naught but a blackened pot yourselves.

Assuming this PR campaign actually happens, this could be one of the wackiest things this company has done. What's next, accusing open source development of being un-American? Oops, already tried that. Well, how about trying to stand on the notion of innovation? Huh, already tried that, too. Well, then, perhaps attacking Linux's security in the midst of one of the poorest security showings for Windows in years isn't so far-fetched after all.

InfoWorld