Rash of viruses and the media

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Does anyone else have a problem with the media and how they are relaying the information about the recent worms? They just mention the worm and don't say anything about the security holes in Microsoft products. More importantly they should be mentioning that Linux, Unix, Macintosh, and other Non-Microsoft operating systems are not affected by the worm. They only give half of the story.

Now I do realize that Microsoft owns a good share of NBC, and Microsoft probably has a vested interest in the other networks, as well. But the news stations should investigate this as much as they investigate the Sept. 11th ordeal so the American Public knows the facts.

Or is this just a geek, wanting the world to know that Microsoft products are bad? Mike Wills
RPG Programmer (but learning Java)

"I am bad at math because God forgot to include math.h into my program!"

 

[MasterRacker]

Putting all that detail into news broadcast would not help anything at all. Remember that almost everyone on this site is a geek and it makes it easy for us to forget where the average user lives.

The average user has no clue what software they are running. They might know they are running Windows, but have no idea what version. They don't know the difference between a "file" and a "folder". They don't know the difference between their data and a program. They click on buttons and stuff happens. And the biggest kicker is that they DON'T WANT TO learn these things. All they ever want to do is click buttons and have stuff happen. Giving excess detail will only confuse them.

Telling the great unwashed masses of a new virus with the subject line "...." and "if you see this delete it" and nothing more is the best public service at this time.
Jeff

I haven't lost my mind - I know it's backed up on tape somewhere ....

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

I would word it this way:

"A new virus is out today that takes advantage of several bugs in Microsoft Windows and Outlook. This can be fixed by several patches that are available on Microsoft's website. This recent attack has cost many companies millions to billions of dollars from downtime while the computers are patched and the viruses removed. However, all Linux, Unix, and Macintosh computers are unaffected by the recent rash of viruses."

I don't care about reaching the standard user. I care about hitting the CEOs and managers that make the decision to use Microsoft products. They may not realize that that decision could potentialy cost them a few million dollars. If they hear that, there is other systems that haven't been effected by this virus, they maight tell their IT staff to research this Unix thing. Mike Wills
RPG Programmer (but learning Java)

"I am bad at math because God forgot to include math.h into my program!"

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Oh, BTW, I am using this to formulate what I am going to write in an editorial to several national newspapers. I want to make sure I cover all the bases here. Mike Wills
RPG Programmer (but learning Java)

"I am bad at math because God forgot to include math.h into my program!"

 

[rycamor]

Here is how I would word it:

"A new virus is out today that takes advantage of several bugs in Microsoft Windows and Outlook. This can be fixed by several patches that are available on Microsoft's website. This is the latest in a series of attacks that have cost many companies millions to billions of dollars from downtime while the computers are patched and the viruses removed.

This virus only affects Microsoft software, All users of alternative operating system such as Linux, Unix, and Macintosh need not be worried about the recent rash of viruses.

Because these attacks seem to be happening so often, and causing so much damage, several major technology consulting companies are now recommending that corporations relying on Microsoft software and systems consider using alternatives. They also question whether Microsoft is taking security issues seriously in the modern age of internet-connected computers. Some say that the attacks we have seen recently could be just the beginning of what could become a prolonged and serious attack on vulnerabilities in Microsoft systems."

Koldark -- please feel free to contact me if you would like some collaboration in sending these messages to the media.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Excellent! I didn't take too much time to write mine up... :-(

Could I use some of your material for my letter? That is an excellent way to state the facts without completely bashing Microsoft, which is what I am trying to avoid (I don't want M$ knocking on my door ;-)) Then I will reference a couple articals that have been floating around lately, only those from respectable sources though.

Thanks for the input. Mike Wills
RPG Programmer (but learning Java)

"I am bad at math because God forgot to include math.h into my program!"

 

[rycamor]

Absolutely. If you would like me to also sign my name on your outgoing message, please send me a copy of the full text to review.

As for quoting external sources, please also consider these:

1.

http://www3.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=101034

2.

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/09/24/1814256&mode=thread

3.

http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/24

4.

http://grc.com/dos/sockettome.htm

5.

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/08/13/1248233&mode=thread

AND

http://dot.kde.org/995949998/

6. Numerous articles on

http://www.osopinion.com/

 

[iza]

what's even worst, is that just a few days later the media claim the virus to be eradicated - people tend to believe it and stop taking security measures, but when you check your firewalls logs, it is very clear that hundreds of machine still run infected .... and as most of the iis users don't patch every day (and that's what you should do when you use such an unsafe product), it'll keep propagating ....
but i'm afraid it's a bit late to cry against micro$oft : as "geeks" we know what the risks are and can accept having less user/developper friendly machines, but try to explain the average user s/he should disable auto preview, auto anything, cool java applets, downloading anythin, .... even some developper couldn't accept "not beeing able to access the user's registry" (aha haha see javascript or web design forums !!!!! ) .... i mean, ok to change media point of vue, but we'll be havng a hard time changing the user's point of vue (